A round table on “Mental Health Issues and the Rights of Persons with Mental Disorders in Azerbaijan” was held

A round table on “Mental Health Issues and the Rights of Persons with Mental Disorders in Azerbaijan” was organized by the Ombudsman Office of Azerbaijan.

Teymur Musayev, the Minister of Health, Ahliman Amiraslanov, Chairman of the Health Committee of the Parliament, Hijran Huseynova, Chairwoman of the Committee on Family, Women, and Children Affairs of the Parliament, Hande Harmanci, the World Health Organization Country  Representative, Garay Garaybeyli, the Rector of the Azerbaijan Medical University, staff of the Ombudsman Office, deputies of the Parliament, Rashid Mahmudov, Kamal Jafarov, Mushvig Mammadli, and Musvig Jafarov, representatives of civil society organizations, psychiatrists, and experts took part in the event initiated by the Ombudsman. 

Sabina Aliyeva, the Ombudsman, gave detailed information in her opening speech on the activities in the field of the protection of the right to public health, adding that appropriate measures are taken to investigate and address the problems existing in this field. 

Speaking about the monitorings conducted to the psychiatric institutions in the frame of the national preventive mechanism activities, the Ombudsman underlined that such monitorings are of utmost importance for visually getting familiar with the existing problems and taking preventive measures. S. Aliyeva said that the competent authorities were presented with appropriate recommendations and proposals for the elimination of numerous shortcomings found in some psychiatric hospitals, especially regional hospitals.   

Underlining the importance of providing the participants of the Second Karabakh War with psychiatric assistance in the post-war period, the Ombudsman brought to attention that this issue is of focus, and that a group of war participants have been provided with the relevant aid at the initiative of the Office. 

S. Aliyeva, noting the continuous measures taken in our country to protect mental health, also said that the Ombudsman Office follows up and analyzes measures, programs, and projects run by the state authorities aimed at protecting citizens’ rights. The Ombudsman highlighted the significance of further enhancing the coordinated cooperation among the authorities responsible for mental health issues.       

During the event, T. Musayev, the Minister of Health, spoke about measures taken to improve psychiatric services in the country. He said that purposeful actions to ensure accessibility and increase quality of psychiatric services, as well as the preparation of the National Strategy on Mental Health as one of the future plans. 

A.Amiraslanov noted that in recent years, the majority of persons working in private entities rendering psychiatric services do not have  education in the relevant field, stressing that this field needs to be seriously supervised. He also said that a new bill on the protection of the rights of physicians and patients in our country is being prepared.      

H. Huseynova said that the spending of children more time in virtual space in modern times also seriously affects their psychology. The Chairwoman of the Committee emphasized the consequences of promoting a healthy lifestyle among the people, as well as developing the parents’ responsibility.   

H. Harmanci pointed out that ensuring accessibility to psychiatric services is one of the significant issues for our country, and thereby, it is necessary to carry out awareness-raising activities about psychiatric health.   

G. Garaybeyli spoke about the existing problems regarding psychiatrists working in state healthcare institutions and the shortage of specialists. He said that in recent years, the cases of aggression and depression among youngsters have increased, emphasizing the necessary measures to overcome such cases.

The speakers shared proposals and recommendations for taking measures to increase accessibility to healthcare services and address the problems existing in the field of mental health in the country. 

Discussions were held around the topic, and the questions of the participants were answered.