The Department of Itapúa will have a new Community Mental Health and Addiction Center, whose construction officially began this week in the Pacu Cuá neighborhood of Encarnación. The project, financed by the Yacyretá Binational Entity (EBY) with a contribution of G. 3 billion, is expected to be completed in 270 days and is part of the network of community facilities under the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare.
The 540-square-meter building, erected on a 1,200-square-meter plot, will be dedicated to low-complexity outpatient care. It will include a reception area, psychological and psychiatric offices, rooms for group sessions and crisis intervention, an infirmary, a pharmacy, an auditorium for workshops, recreational spaces, and rest areas for staff. The project was approved by the Department of Design and Projects and the Directorate of Mental Health of the ministry.
During the groundbreaking ceremony, EBY Executive Director Luis Benítez Cuevas highlighted the social impact of the initiative. “For the Yacyretá Binational Entity, it is an honor to allocate resources and effort to projects that transform people's quality of life. This investment goes beyond construction and becomes a concrete contribution to the well-being of the residents of Encarnación and all of Itapúa,” he said.
Health Minister María Teresa Barán described the center as a response to a historic need in the region. “Today we take a very important step to bring health and well-being closer to the community. This center will strengthen our healthcare network with a human, community-based, and accessible approach,” she stated.
Deputy Sebastián Remesowski, the main advocate of the project, noted that the land transfer was made possible through the National Republican Association (ANR). “This center is not just a building; it is a place where support, help, and hope will be provided. We will continue working so that Encarnación grows with projects that benefit the entire community,” he said.
National Director of Mental Health Mirtha Rodríguez explained that the facility represents a new care model focused on promotion, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation, with a specific approach to addiction. The service will serve children, adolescents, and adults through interdisciplinary teams made up of psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and occupational therapists. Spaces for family support and training, as well as community support group activities, are also planned.