UNITED NATIONS - / MaximsNews Network / 16 June 2008 -- The government of Moldova today joined with mental health and children's advocates in paving the way to end an era of isolating people with mental disabilities in institutions.

The "Memorandum of Understanding for Deinstitutionalization and Community Living for People with Mental Disabilities" was signed today by the Ministry of Social Protection, Family and Child, the Open Society Mental Health Initiative, the Soros Foundation—Moldova, Hope and Homes for Children, and Keystone Human Services International. By signing the memorandum, the ministry and the nongovernmental organizations have committed to a four-year collaboration that will end the further institutionalization of children with mental disabilities and establish models for community-based services that will replace the institutions in the long run.

Moldova, which has a large number of people with disabilities in residential institutions and a lack of alternative services, recently signed the United Nations Convention of the Rights of People with Disabilities. Last month's memorandum will help Moldova make the provisions of the Convention a reality, say the groups.

"This project is the materialization in practice of Moldova's policies regarding people with disabilities. The project will enable people with disabilities to lead meaningful lives close to their families, friends and colleagues, and puts Moldova in a position to prepare for ratification of the convention", said Galina Balmos, Minister of Social Protection, Family and Child.

"We are pleased for the opportunity to work with the Republic of Moldova to significantly improve the quality of life of people with mental disabilities," said Judith Klein, Director of the Open Society Mental Health Initiative. "People with mental disabilities across Central and Eastern Europe are faced with stigma and discrimination which prevent them and their families from participating in society as equal citizens. We hope the example of Moldova will spur other governments to stop locking people away in large institutions and ensure their access to services at all levels in the community."

The project, which builds on local and international expertise and resources, will pilot the relocation of residents from the Home for Boys with Disabilities in Orhei to family-type living arrangements in the community, while developing the range of comprehensive support services in the community, mechanisms for quality assurance and monitoring, and the financial and operational frameworks needed to sustain this change in the future.

For more information, contact: 

Paul Silva: +1 212 548 0309; psilva@sorosny.org 

Lucia Gavrilita: +373 22 737572; lucia.gavrilita@mpsfc.gov.md, 

Raluca Bunea: +36 1 327 3100; rbunea@osi.hu, 

Liliana Gherman: +373 22 270031; lgherman@soros.md, 

Charles Hooker: +1 717 232 7509; chooker@keystonehumanservices.org, 

Labels: United Nations, U.N., Open Society Institute, OSI, Soros Foundation, Moldova, Memorandum of Understanding for Deinstitutionalization and Community Living for People with Mental Disabilities, Ministry of Social Protection Family and Child, Open Society Institute Mental Health Initiative, Hope and Homes for Children, Keystone Human Services International, United Nations Convention of the Rights of People with Disabilities, Galina Balmos, Judith Klein

 

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