Kyrgyzstan: Patients of a closed institution are kept in inhuman conditions
Employees of the National Center for the Prevention of Torture visited the psychonarcological department of the Center for General Medical Practice in Kyzyl-Kiya.
During the inspection, human rights activists revealed numerous violations of sanitary and epidemiological rules and regulations, fire safety rules and established requirements for living conditions and sanitary safety.
“There is no running water in the building. Water heating devices for a backup source of hot water supply are not installed; there are no shower units, bathrooms, and sewage system,” was noted by the staff of the National Center for the Prevention of Torture.
In addition, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems don’t provide the necessary indoor microclimate. The level of natural and artificial lighting doesn’t meet the established requirements.
“For the normal operation of treatment rooms, there are no elementary conditions for the implementation of the entire treatment process and compliance with the sanitary and anti-epidemic regime. The same situation is observed in the wards where the patients are,” the human rights activists continue.
They note that in order to prevent possible accidents related to the safe life of people, a light fire alarm system hasn’t been installed.
The building is old (dated 1947), tumbledown and hasn’t been repaired for a long time. In this connection, it’s in an emergency condition and is not suitable for maintenance. Despite this, there is a separate room in the facility, where windows and doors are barred with metal bars, without conditions of detention.
“The treatment of patients in such conditions infringes on human dignity, and calls into question the respectful, humane treatment. Keeping a patient in such conditions leads to inhuman or degrading treatment and punishment, or is equated with torture,” emphasize the employees of the National Center for the Prevention of Torture.
Thus, the conditions of the psychonarcological department of the Center for General Medical Practice in Kyzyl-Kiya don’t meet the requirements of both national legislation and international rules and standards.
