(TAP) - Prime Minister Youssef Chahed inaugurated, on Thursday, the first public center for autism located in the Omar Mokhtar district in Sidi Hassine Sejoumi (Tunis Governorate).

The centre has a capacity of 40 children whose age range is between 3 and 12 years.

Spread over an area of ​​2000 m², it is composed of 13 psychomotricity, occupational and speech therapy rooms and workshops dedicated to leisure activities as well as a kitchen and a restaurant.

No fewer than 34 executives specialising in special education, psychomotor therapy, speech therapy and other therapies will practice in this establishment which will be only a day centre.

"The center will welcome children from needy and low-income families free of charge," said Prime Minister Youssef Chahed, stating that the rates will be symbolic for wealthy families.

The institution will help alleviate the suffering of families, especially as the cost of services offered in the private sector is "expensive", he pointed out.

According to him, care rates in private centres vary between 500 and 1000 dinars per month.

Another centre will be created in the governorate of Medenine and in the north-west, he added.

Minister of State Property and Land Affairs Hédi Mokni said three additional hectares will be devoted to the extension of this centre and the creation of an indoor pool, a farm for therapeutic purposes as well as care units