An increasing number of children suffer from serious visual impairments, said Tatiana Ghidirimski, ophthalmologist of the medical center Low Vision. She noted that each third patient of the about 800 patients of the center is a child and the number of minor patients increased during the last few years, IPN reports.

During almost ten years, over 50 children with vision lower than 10% were integrated into community schools owing to special vision correction devices and visual aids provided by the medical center Low Vision that is financially supported by the Norwegian organization “Hjelp Moldova”. This year, the National Health Insurance Company allocated over 300,000 lei, but this sum is insufficient, according to Tatiana Ghidirimski, given that the optical devices are very expensive. The hyperculars cost 4,000 lei, while the closed-circuit electronic devices cost between €3,000 and €10,000, depending on the model.

The president of “Hjelp Moldova” Hans Bjorn Bakketeig, in a roundtable meeting on December 3, said the Moldovan state should became involved to a greater extent. If Norway is unable to finance this center, the authorities should ensure its continuity. The visually impaired persons represent an unrealized potential for society and they can be integrated into schools, universities and labor, alongside their mates, with the help of special correction devices.

In the same event, MP Valentina Buliga said the state took a number of measures to integrate the persons with disabilities. The National Health Insurance Company subsidized a part of the services intended for persons with disabilities. In the case of children, the effort is aimed their integration into community schools. In the case of adults, the state encourages the employment of persons with disabilities by offering about 65,000 lei on subsidies for adjusting workplaces.