Bom Jesus das Selvas ordered to implement mental health center

A court order has mandated the municipality of Bom Jesus das Selvas, Maranhão, to implement a Psychosocial Care Center (CAPS I) to address local mental health needs. The decision follows a civil public action filed by the Maranhão Public Prosecutor's Office (MPMA), which highlighted that approximately 550 residents currently must travel to the neighboring city of Buriticupu to receive specialized psychiatric care.

The municipality has 30 days to secure a property for the facility and present a project for adaptation to meet State Sanitary Surveillance (Suvisa) standards. Once the property is approved, the city has 90 days to organize a multidisciplinary team—including psychiatrists, nurses, psychologists, social workers, and occupational therapists—and begin operations.

Previous attempts to establish the center were stalled after architectural projects were rejected five times by sanitary authorities and the municipality failed to secure federal funding through the Novo PAC program. The court ruled that the implementation and maintenance of the service must be funded by the municipal budget, regardless of federal transfers. Failure to comply with the timeline will result in a daily fine of R$ 5,000.