The municipal center for the placement and rehabilitation of children of an early age situated in Botanica district of Chisinau will be turned into the municipal center of social services. It will work both as a day center and will accommodate children. The head of the Child Rights Protection Division Svetlana Chifa said the reform is necessary as the number of children placed at the center has decreased, IPN reports.

According to Svetlana Chifa, the number of children abandoned at birth diminished. Ten years ago, there were abandoned 217 children a year, but now this figure stands at 18. Six children have been abandoned this year. The number of children placed at the center is also lower. In 2009, the center accommodated 82 children, while this year only 14. Also, more children leave this institution. Four children were integrated into the family in 2009, as against 33 this year.

The rooms that were vacated will be used to develop several new services, including temporary placement for children with special needs, family counseling and emergency placement.