Personal assistance for persons with special needs

The persons with disabilities will benefit, besides residential, home and other types of community assistance services needed for their integration into society and their life, from the Personal Assistance service. The Government approved the framework regulations concerning the organization, functioning and minimum quality standards for the given service, Info-Prim Neo reports. Minister of Labor, Social Protection and Family Valentina Buliga said the Personal Assistance service was launched within the reformation of the social protection system for persons with disabilities, following the ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the approval of the strategy for the social inclusion of persons with disabilities for 2010-2013. The new service is aimed at giving care to children and grownups with severe disabilities so as to help them lead an independent life in their houses and in community. The Personal Assistance service, which is provided according to strictly individualized plans, depending on the wishes and needs of the potential beneficiaries, was tested in Soroca and Ungheni districts and will be extended to other districts in 2013. The costs for a beneficiary were estimated at 25,000 lei a year. There are about 8,800 persons with severe disabilities in Moldova, approximately 2,000 of whom children under 18, who need permanent care and supervision.