A round table on "Mental Health Issues and the Rights of Persons with Mental Disorders in Azerbaijan" was held.
The event, organized by the Office of the Ombudsman of the Republic of Azerbaijan, was attended by the Minister of Health of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Teymur Musayev, the Chairman of the Healthcare Committee of the Milli Majlis, Ahliman Amiraslanov, the Head of the Committee on Family, Women, and Children of the Milli Majlis, Hijran Huseynova, the representative of the World Health Organization in Azerbaijan, Hande Harmanci, the rector of Azerbaijan Medical University, Geray Geraybeyli, staff of the Ombudsman's Office, representatives of civil society institutions, psychiatrists, and experts.
Ombudsman Sabina Aliyeva delivered an opening speech at the round table, providing detailed information about the activities of the Ombudsman's Office in the protection of the right to health care of the population and informing that appropriate measures have been taken to study and address problems in this area.
Speaking about the monitoring of psychiatric institutions within the framework of the National Preventive Mechanism, the Ombudsman emphasized the importance of such monitoring in understanding existing problems and taking preventive measures. S. Aliyeva noted that proposals and recommendations were submitted to the relevant institutions for the elimination of a number of shortcomings in some psychiatric hospitals, particularly in regional institutions.
Emphasizing the importance of providing psychiatric assistance to participants of the Second Karabakh War in the post-war period, the Ombudsman noted that this issue is in the spotlight and highlighted that at the initiative of the Ombudsman's Office, appropriate assistance was provided to a group of war participants.
S. Aliyeva stated that measures are constantly being implemented in our country in the direction of protecting mental health. It was pointed out that measures, programs, and projects implemented by relevant state bodies in the field of protecting citizens' rights are monitored and analyzed by the Ombudsman. The Ombudsman emphasized the importance of further strengthening coordinated cooperation in this area between structures responsible for mental health issues

Minister of Health Teymur Musayev, speaking at the event, stated that a number of measures are being taken by the ministry to improve psychiatric services in the republic. According to the minister, the duration of residency training in the specialty of "psychiatry" has been increased from 2 to 3 years, and a new specialty "Child and Adolescent Psychiatry" has been added to the "Classification of Specialties for Residency Training." He mentioned, "The Ministry has established the 'War Veterans, Wounded and Martyr Families' department and the '9109 Call Center'."
Teymur Musayev highlighted the purposeful steps taken to ensure the accessibility and quality of medical services: "In this regard, outpatient and inpatient psychiatric services have been provided not only in state medical institutions but also in private medical institutions to eliminate the established stigma in this field. These institutions are located both in Baku and in the regions."
The Minister of Health of Azerbaijan emphasized that regular visits to psychiatric institutions are conducted by the staff of the Ombudsman's Office, during which the situation regarding the rights of patients, conditions of stay, and other issues are investigated. He noted, "The Ministry of Health highly values the cooperation with the Ombudsman's Office, and any recommendations are promptly implemented."
Teymur Musayev concluded his remarks by stating, "Preparing a National Strategy on Mental Health, establishing Production Workshops for Treatment in hospitals treating psychiatric patients, opening psycho-social rehabilitation centers, and conducting scientific research in the field of mental health are our future plans."

Chairman of the Healthcare Committee of the Milli Majlis, Ahliman Amiraslanov, stated that the majority of individuals working in private institutions providing psychological assistance in recent times do not have education in this field, emphasizing the importance of serious oversight in this area. Amiraslanov also noted that a new draft law aimed at protecting the rights of doctors and patients in our country is being prepared.
Hijran Huseynova, the Head of the Committee on Family, Women, and Children of the Milli Majlis, mentioned in her speech that spending more time in the virtual space by children in modern times has a serious impact on their psychology. She highlighted the necessity of promoting a healthy lifestyle among the population, as well as increasing parental responsibility.
Hande Harmancı, the representative of the World Health Organization in Azerbaijan, emphasized the importance of ensuring accessibility to mental health services, stating that it is one of the most important issues for our country, and underscored the necessity of implementing awareness-raising activities on mental health.
Rector of Azerbaijan Medical University, Geray Geraybeyli, discussed the existing problems related to the number of psychiatrists working in state medical institutions and personnel conflicts.
Other speakers at the event presented their proposals and recommendations for improving healthcare services and addressing the existing problems in the field of mental health in the country.
Discussions on the topic were held during the roundtable, and questions from participants were answered.