“World Autism Day makes us reflect on what we need to do for children suffering from autism spectrum disorders and to ensure better condition of social and care services for them. The model we have set through the Social Fund mechanism also here in Gjirokastër, a model of social and health care services, which provides care to 66 children with autism spectrum disorders and that should be further expanded to other cities across the country,” Manastirliu said.

Health Minister also called on local government authorities to expand the range of social services, pledging that the government will keep increasing its Social Fund,

“More than 40 social service centres have been established across the country under the Social Fund with over 11000 beneficiaries, who also receive daily care at their place of residence. The government will increase the Social Fund by 30% in the coming years,” she said.

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The event, hosted by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, also took stock of the concrete accomplishments and focused on support for the municipalities to further expand and improve social services delivery in the territory.

The Minister of Health Ogerta Manastirliu, mayors, heads of UN organizations operating in Albania, representatives from the EU Delegation to Albania, as well as civil society organizations attended the event.

In her remarks, Health Minister Ogerta Manastirliu noted that more than 40 social services have been established throughout the country through the Social Fund, supporting more than 10,000 beneficiaries.

“What we can openly say and of which we are proud today is that we succeeded in building 40 social services in the municipalities across the country thanks to the Social Fund. Delivery of social services under the Social Fund is a reality in 32 municipalities and districts with quality social services being provided to the elderly, the children in need, the abused and trafficked women, the Roma and Egyptian community and people with different abilities. More than 10,000 people have benefited support by the Albanian government through the Social Fund in the last three years,” Manastirliu said, noting that today all 61 municipalities across the country have their own social plans.

The Social Fund is the financial mechanism through which financial support is provided for local self-government units, with the aim of improving the standards of providing existing social care services; planning and creating new missing services, as well as the development of social policies at the central and local level.

Such a mechanism allows for funding throughout the territory, balancing its distribution according to needs at the local level.

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