American actor Eric Roberts, brother of Hollywood movie star Julia Roberts, himself an Academy Award nominee, visited on Tuesday the construction site of the future 'Prof. Dr. Alexandru Obregia' Pediatric Psychiatry Clinic in Bucharest, together with Codin Maticiuc - founder of the Public Hospitals Built with Private Money initiative - and Eduard Irimia, co-founder and president of the I Success Awards.

During a press conference, Florina Rad, head of department at the Obregia Hospital, explained the need for the new clinic, noting that the current unit was built more than 100 years ago, compartmentalized according to the standards of that era, and is extremely difficult to adapt to today's requirements of modern care and the needs of patients and their families.

'In Romania, mental-health services are concentrated in large cities and centered around hospitals. In the counties surrounding Bucharest, they do not exist; some counties have no pediatric psychiatrists at all. As a result, most children with mental-health problems come to Bucharest, and depending on the pathology or severity, they are directed to our clinic,' Florina Rad said.

She added that the new clinic will treat children with all types of psychiatric conditions - from addictions to neurodevelopmental disorders - starting from the age of two.

According to a statement from the Metropolis Foundation, Roberts' visit marks the actor's direct support for the foundation's cause and confirms international backing for one of Romania's most important mental-health projects.

Eric Roberts' presence in Bucharest is linked to his participation in the I Success Special Edition - Red Carpet Experience, a global platform bringing together companies and personalities involved in socially impactful causes. This year's edition is organized in partnership with the Metropolis Foundation. The actor is also an active supporter of the Autism Awareness campaign promoted internationally through I Success.

'Eric Roberts' presence on our construction site is not just a gesture of solidarity - it proves that projects with heart can cross borders. When people of his stature choose to stand with us, the message reaches places we could not reach alone. And for the children who will benefit from this clinic, every additional voice means an additional chance,' said Codin Maticiuc.

The new pediatric psychiatry clinic within the 'Prof. Dr. Alexandru Obregia' Hospital will have a usable area of approximately 3,900 square meters, built on a UG+GF+4 structure. The space is designed entirely around patient needs - treatment, recovery and therapy under one roof - along with educational and emotional-support areas for children and their families. Facilities include 67 beds in more than 40 two-bed rooms with private bathrooms, over 20 therapy rooms, and a separate nine-bed unit dedicated to adolescents with substance-use addictions.

The construction of the new clinic requires a total investment estimated at €16.5 million. The Metropolis Philanthropic Foundation has so far raised €6 million in donations and sponsorships - enough to complete the building's structural frame, yet more than €10 million is still needed to finish the project. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Iulia Carciog; EN - writing by: Simona Klodnischi)