Human Rights and the Hospitalization and Treatment of Patients in Mental Hospitals

Human Rights and the Hospitalization and Treatment of Patients in Mental Hospitals

On the 22nd of February, the Committee for Health and Social Issues discussed the results of a study conducted by the Public Defender’s Office. The Human Rights Information and Documentation Centre is one of the members of the above committee.

The most attention was paid to the Gldani Mental Hospital, where the living conditions are very poor. The issue of state support for people with mental disorders was raised. According to the head of committee, Gigi Tsereteli, the state has already started work on reforming this area and the amount of money to be paid to the patients will hopefully be increased. Next year, 9 Lari (approx. 5 USD) will be granted per patient, per month, while in 2006 the amount of the financial assistance given is only 6 Lari (approx. 3.33 USD). Also the committee has agreed to move the Gldani Mental Hospital to the former building of the Academy of Security, where better conditions will exist for the patients. On the site of the Gldani Mental Hospital, a new prison will be built. Funding however has not been granted to pay for staff training.

See the report in Georgian: http://www.humanrights.ge/files/monitoring%20report_february.pdf