Country Brief: The national integrated care system in Uruguay

Uruguay’s National Integrated Care System (Sistema Nacional Integrado de Cuidados, SNIC) was formally established through the adoption of Act No. 19.353 in 2015, and provides care for children up to the age of 3 years, older people aged 80 years or over and persons with disabilities (up to the age of 29 years). It contributes to the professionalization and formalization of care work, the extension of social security and the training of care workers.

SNIC serves as a compelling example for the Global Accelerator pathfinder countries by demonstrating how integrated policies and social dialogue can help to advance a comprehensive care system while contributing to the transition of thousands of informal care workers into the formal economy. This example illustrates the value of coordinated investment in public services, employment and social protection policies to create new jobs and promote the formalization of existing ones, in line with the Global Accelerator’s core objectives.