Cory Doctorow
Hey #Uruguay folks! I have cousins outside of Montevideo who have a complex of mental health and physical issues, and who are in food insecurity, and who have struggled to access services there. We have been sending them money for years but it's beyond our means. They need a social worker, and have failed to find one through regular channels. Is there such a thing as a private social worker who we can hire to get them into the system?
Jul 13 at 11:15pmWeb
Show threadCharlie McHenryJul 13

@pluralistic Uruguay has a private system you may want to check out. Mutualistas: This is popular with many Uruguayans & expats. Mutualistas are private hospital-based healthcare organizations where members pay a fixed monthly fee for comprehensive coverage (routine check-ups, specialist visits, surgeries, hospitalization).

Mutualista Membership: Even if they plan to use the public system, it's worth exploring Mutualista options for shorter wait times and more personalized care. Popular mutualistas include Asociación Española and British Hospital (especially in Montevideo).

Consider Patient Navigators/Social Workers: Uruguay does have "patient navigators" who assist individuals in understanding results, accessing resources, and overcoming barriers in the healthcare system. Asociación de Asistentes Sociales de Uruguay - National Social Work Association in Uruguay:
Contact Information: Defensa 1662 esq. E. V. Haedo, Montevideo, Uruguay. Email: adasu@adinet.com.uy. Phones: 2408 5182 / 092 327 524.

Show threadCory DoctorowJul 14
@CharlieMcHenry Thank you!
Show threadCory DoctorowJul 14
@CharlieMcHenry This is super helpful. We're also looking for help with things like accessing cash- and food-assistance (the Ollas?) - do patient navigators work on that as well?
Show threadMarta (ella)Jul 14
@pluralistic I'll just forward to nice people from Uruguay in case they can help or boost: @j3j5 @lufertec
Show threadCory DoctorowJul 14
@teclista @j3j5 @lufertec Thank you!
Show threadJulio J.Jul 14

@pluralistic The information that Charlie gave you is correct. I've asked my wife in case she knows anything else (I moved here 'only' 10 years ago) and she's going to ask around. I'm going to post your message translated as well to see if anybody on our instance can also help. If I get any other info I'll be sure to send it your way.

Best of luck!

Show threadCory DoctorowJul 15
@j3j5 Thanks! We're really hoping to find someone we can pay to help them get set up with the public system, get a social worker, enroll in food and cash assistance, etc.
Show threadSinMisteriosJul 15

@pluralistic Hi, may be it's a good idea to share their location so that local people could help. I don't know much about private social workers.

Here there are some links about public (and free) health system and its mental health facilities (both in Spanish)

https://www.gub.uy/tramites/afiliacion-asse

https://www.asse.com.uy/categoria/Direccion-de-Salud-Mental-320?pagina=1

Afiliación a ASSE | Trámites

Show threadDaniel PrietoJul 15

@sinmisterios @pluralistic Montevideo has a great public mental health-specialized hospital (Vilardebo Hospital) in El Prado neighborhood. They will certainly receive all the assistance (including contact with social workers) they'd need there. It might not be fashionable but their professional staff is remarkable.

You might also find this useful:

https://www.gub.uy/ministerio-desarrollo-social/

Ministerio de Desarrollo Social

Ministerio de Desarrollo Social
Show threadEuJul 16
@pluralistic In case of an emergency involving homeless people in Montevideo, someone can call free number 0800 8798 or send a WhatsApp message to 092 910 000. For emergencies in the interior of the country, please call 911. If medical attention is required, the SAME (medical emergency) number is 105.
From one of us take action on this we need to know their exactly location
Show threadCory DoctorowJul 16
@ribeiro_uy Thanks. My cousins aren't homeless, though - they're looking for help navigating social services to get food aid and cash assistance.