A number of mental health centres will be opened in the next five years in the raion centres, in compliance with the provisions of the National Programme on Mental Health (2007-2011), approved by the Government this week. According to the Ministry of Health, Ion Ababii, the new national programme corresponds to the recommendations of the European Commission in the field and is outlined in the EU-Moldova Action Plan. The new mental health programme is not related to the increase in the number of mentally handicapped persons in the country, but connected to the change of the policy in the field, the minister says. Until now, the medical assistance for mental patients was granted to large hospitals, but now it is thought to be more opportune to open smaller institutions in the country, where they could be close to the patients’ families. As Ababii states, the mental hospital in Costiujeni, Chisinau municipality, will keep its present form, as a republican centre. Initially it is planned to open 3 centres in north of the country and 1 in Cahul. The Minister says that a similar centre already opened in Chisinau. According to the Programme, the centres will be endowed with modern medical equipment and will have adequate conditions for the patients. The Minister underlined that Moldovan authorities are now concerned with the increase in the number of teaching staff specialised in psychology and psychiatry, following the practice of the economically advanced countries. In the USA, psychologists and psychiatrists make up the most numerous category of specialists and exceed the number of internists and family physicians, the minister exemplified. The state will grant 500 mln lei in an attempt to assist the creation of mental health Centres. Also, 30% of the necessary sums will come from donor countries. The World Health Organisation will provide technical assistance in training the teaching staff for these centres.