Monitoring and Educational Events Conducted in Psychiatric Institutions

Monitoring and awareness-raising activities are continued in psychiatric institutions within the mandate of the national preventive mechanism and the Working Group on “Mental Health and Human Rights” under the instructions of the Ombudsperson Sabina Aliyeva to evaluate the general human rights situation in those facilities.

These days, scheduled monitoring visits were conducted in Psychiatric Hospital No. 2 and Sumgayit City Psychiatric Hospital under the Ministry of Health.

During these visits, all facilities within the premises of the said institutions, including dorms, medical cabinets, walking yards, dining halls, and other areas, were inspected. The issues related to the organization of medical aid to patients, the situation of the protection of their rights, accessibility to nutrition and water supply, current living conditions, documentation, and others were investigated. According to the results of the monitoring, both institutions were in need of overhaul and reconstruction. The staff was advised on how to improve living standards and maintain documentation. In addition, the Ministry of Health is planned to be addressed with regard to the results of monitoring.

This activity is not limited to monitoring, but also includes legal education in the field of mental health and human rights. In this context, the Ombudsman’s West Regional Center held a legal education event on the topic of "Mental Health and Human Rights" for the staff of the Ganja City Psychiatric Hospital. Head of the Regional Center, Sabuhi Abbasov broadly informed the attendees about the activities of the relevant WG, the Ombudsman’s NPM mandate,  preventive monitoring implemented in psychiatric institutions, and the procedure of assessment of protection of patients’ rights, freedoms, and treatment standards rendered.

The importance of ensuring the rights, dignity and safety of people with mental health problems, and their freedom from discrimination and access to legal guarantees was also emphasized. At the end, participants’ questions were answered.