Ombudsmen Nino Lomjaria has visited and inspected the Tbilisi Mental Health Center. The Ombudsmen's Office has spread information on her visit to the institution.
"Following this visit, it was clear that the institutional infrastructure is outdated and obsolete; the institution itself is overcrowded and hygiene and sanitation standards poorly maintained. Accordingly, the therapeutic environment is not beneficial for patients there.
Patients are not provided with required household items: they do not have lockers, chairs, and soft furniture. No separate areas for smokers and non-smokers exist there. A strong and distinctive odor can be felt at the facility. Patients lack the possibility to go for a walk daily, and they have to maintain personal hygiene with cold water as no hot water taps are there.
The facility funding is not enough to ensure adequate care for patients and up to standard psycho-social rehabilitation. Conflicts and violence frequently occur between beneficiaries; however, similar instances are not adequately controlled, and no preventive measures are implemented.
The facility lacks employees, and its staff is not provided with appropriate working conditions.
The Public Defender calls upon the government agencies to strengthen efforts to ensure a high standard of protection of human rights in the field of psychological health," the statement reads.
The photos demonstrating the above-described situation are presented below.
