The Ministry of Health creates a care network for gambling addiction in partnership with the Sírio-Libanês Hospital.
The Ministry of Health has formalized a partnership with the Sírio-Libanês Hospital to create an integrated care network aimed at people with needs related to games and betting. The Adjustment Extract, which was published in the Official Gazette of the Union this Tuesday (10), provides for an investment of R$ 2.593.632,37 for the development of the project. The initiative is linked to the Institutional Development Support Program of the Unified Health System (Proadi-SUS).
The project aims to expand access and improve the quality of care for individuals with gambling-related problems through telehealth services. These services will be integrated into the Psychosocial Care Network (RAPS) of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS), ensuring support for patients. The expectation is to initially offer 450 consultations per month starting in February 2026, as announced by the Ministry of Health.
Details of the technical cooperation
The partnership agreement between the Union and the Beneficent Society of Ladies of the Syrian-Lebanese Hospital (HSL) was formalized following a decision at the 1st Ordinary Meeting of the Proadi-SUS Management Committee, held on February 4th. The Syrian-Lebanese Hospital will be responsible for carrying out the activities.
The Adjustment Agreement No. 2/2023 establishes that the resources will be applied until the end of the execution period, scheduled for December 31, 2026. The initiative received a favorable technical opinion from the Secretariat of Specialized Health Care (SAES), as per document No. 2/2026.
Focus on gaming disorder
The technical cooperation between the Ministry of Health and the Sírio-Libanês Hospital has the specific objective of providing appropriate care for people at risk of, or already diagnosed with, Gambling Disorder. The project is part of the actions of the Department of Technical Cooperation, Innovation and Development in Health, linked to the Executive Secretariat of the Ministry.
Through this initiative, the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) seeks to structure specialized care for a public health problem, using technological resources to expand the reach of mental health services within the existing psychosocial care network.
This action is part of a broader effort by the federal government to address problems related to gambling. Recently, on December 3, 2025, the Ministries of Finance and Health signed a Technical Cooperation Agreement (ACT) for the implementation of integrated actions aimed at prevention, harm reduction, and healthcare for people with problems related to fixed-odds gambling. The agreement, signed by Ministers Fernando Haddad and Alexandre Padilha, establishes permanent channels for the exchange of information between the Secretariat of Prizes and Gambling (SPA-MF) and the Secretariat of Specialized Healthcare (SAES-MS).
Furthermore, the Ministry of Health has launched a Care Pathway for People with Gambling-Related Problems, which brings together clinical guidelines for the care of this population within the SUS (Brazilian Public Health System). Psychosocial Care Centers (CAPS) of all types, Basic Health Units (UBS), Emergency Care Units (UPA), and general hospitals are prepared to serve this population.
