URUGUAY: Continuing Coverage on the First Homophobia-free Health Service in Country
180.com reported on 7 July that the “Ciudad Vieja” public health centre in Montevideo had been inaugurated as the first service in Uruguay whose health professionals have been trained to avoid discriminatory practices that may hinder the health rights of lesbian, gay, trans, bisexual and intersex persons (LGTIB). The initiative is the result of the cooperation between the Republic University, Ministry of Health, UNFPA, ASSE and the civil society organization Ovejas Negras (in Spanish, “Black Sheeps”). Valeria Ramos, UNFPA Uruguay sexual and reproductive health officer, explained that, over several months, health professionals have been trained and the centre has been adapted to understand the different sexual and reproductive needs of all users. Moreover, she emphasized that this not an specialized or a new health centre, but a health service that does not take for granted that all its users are heterosexuals since this can lead to a wrong diagnosis. Leticia Rieppi, from the Ministry of Public Health, affirmed that several other health centers in the country have already showed their interest in following a similar training and adaptation process. Read in Spanish: 180