The island of Lanzarote hosted a technical visit from a European delegation, composed of Diogo Silva and Mariam Raduta, managers of the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) Canarias 2021-2027 Program. The objective was to gain first-hand knowledge and evaluate the work carried out by the Infant and Adolescent Mental Health Home Care Unit, launched in October 2025.
This unit, funded with 292,354 euros from the ESF+, comprises a highly available multidisciplinary team (psychiatrist, nurse, occupational therapist, and social worker) that travels throughout the island. Their work is coordinated with the Infant and Adolescent Mental Health Unit (USMIJ), families, and other health, social, and educational resources.
Since its inception, the unit has assisted 24 minors with an average age of 14 years, aiming to ensure quality healthcare, promote territorial equity, and reduce waiting times by decentralizing hospital care to the home and school environment. The youngest patient was eleven and the oldest seventeen, with an average treatment duration of 4.6 months.
The visit, organized by the Directorate General of Planning and Budget of the Ministry of Finance and European Union Relations, also included representatives from the Ministry of Labor and Social Economy, as well as the manager of Lanzarote's Health Services, Pablo Eguia, and other key healthcare professionals.
The manager of Lanzarote's Health Services, Pablo Eguia, emphasized that the Home Care Unit allows for "bringing intervention closer to the patient's family and daily environment, further strengthening coordination between healthcare professionals and social and educational resources."
The activity of the Infant and Adolescent Mental Health Unit has seen a notable increase, with 7,729 consultations between January and August 2026, a 42% rise compared to the same period in 2025. Interventions are tailored to each minor's needs, including psychopathological and pharmacological follow-up, family support, and coordination with social and educational resources.
