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Posted by: Mazur Rodica

News / Social

02 Aug. 2020 / 19:00

Services for children with autism, covered by compulsory health insurance

Autism is starting to become a diagnosis that we hear more and more often, and in Moldova it is more and more difficult to have a special child - say the parents of little ones diagnosed with this condition. However, it is known that, in autism, complex therapy is the only chance for a partial recovery, and with proper treatment, some children recover almost completely. From now on, diagnostic and therapy services will be closer to children suffering from autism, because, for the first time, they will be covered by compulsory health insurance, Moldova 1 reports.

The National Medical Insurance Company (CNAM) signed for 2020 a contract worth about 500,000 lei with the Public Association "SOS Autism".

When Alexandru was a year and a half old, his mother, Natalia Iacub, noticed that the little boy was having some developmental difficulties. A period of investigation followed, and he was eventually diagnosed with autism. Alexandru is now ten years old, and Natalia is happy that after an enormous amount of work, the results can be seen. From a specialist in public administration, Natalia became a special psychopedagogue. And that's because Alexander's diagnosis determined her to reshape herself. The maintenance costs of a child with autism are very high, says the woman. And that's because people with autism need therapy for life.

The "SOS Autism" Social Center is attended by 55 families with children with autism. Due to the contract signed with the CNAM, the association will start providing, through the medical insurance policy, the diagnostic service regarding autism for all children in the country.

"We managed to access the CNAM funds and we intend to do the diagnostic service we do at the center for free. This is an internationally recognized test called ADOS. In addition, we really want to provide free speech therapy and physical therapy services and of course behavioral therapy as far as possible," said Olga Guzun, director of the "SOS Autism" Center.

Once the Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Protection, together with the Social Association "SOS Autism" finalized the legal framework, after three years of work, the CNAM funds worth 500 thousand lei could be accessed.

"Our task is how to ensure that access to services for these children is achieved. Therefore, for the first time in the history of the Republic of Moldova, this year, together with the Association "SOS Autism" we found a formula for collaboration, to give these children the right and access to certain investigations and services, diagnostic tests, services provided by specialists who have the necessary training will be offered on behalf of the CNAM," said the director of the CNAM, Valentina Buliga.

According to data provided by the Ministry of Health, in 2019, in the Republic of Moldova, approximately 1,200 children suffered from autism.

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