As Jānis Zariņš, the Minister’s Adviser on Communication, informed LETA, the Petravičs Ombudsman’s Office categorically disagrees with the assessment of what is happening in social care centers.
According to the politician, the Ombudsman’s statements slander social care centers and offend center staff. In the last two years, 4.5 million euros have been invested in the infrastructure of state social care centers (VSAC), and by the end of 2022, 5.8 million euros will be invested in improving energy efficiency in VSAC buildings, the Minister noted.
She explained that at the same time, local governments continue to build group apartments, to which people move from institutions to live in a family environment.
“This is a gradual and financially expensive process that will require a lot of time and money, and it is not possible to move all clients to group apartments, because many need highly qualified care in a 24-hour mode,” commented Petraviča.
On the other hand, according to the Minister, in order to come to the truth about the attitude of the staff towards clients and dispel doubts about human rights violations, it is likely that Jansons and the heads of all VSACs should be invited to a joint face-to-face meeting. The opinion of customers’ relatives would also be important in this story, the politician believes.
At the same time, the Minister expresses great gratitude to all VSAC employees who work with the target group and do very hard work on a daily basis. “I invite one of the representatives of the Ombudsman’s Office to go to the social care center, work there for at least one full day and feel like a social caregiver,” Petraviča urged, thanking all the employees of the care centers.
Only thanks to them is it possible for the centers to operate and for the successful continuation of the deinstitutionalisation process, the politician said.
It has already been reported that, criticizing the deinstitutionalisation process, the Ombudsman calls for the complete cessation of the placement of new clients in the State Social Insurance Fund by 1 January 2024, ensuring the provision of appropriate social services to every person with a disability.
The letter states that also this year, during the visits of the representatives of the Ombudsman’s Office to the State Social Insurance Fund, the same human rights violations are still detected, to which the Ombudsman has pointed out to the MoW for several years.
Thus, it is concluded that the improvement of the institutional infrastructure has not improved the social care and social rehabilitation provided to clients, as well as has not ensured dignified treatment of those who promised equal rights and freedoms when Latvia ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities ten years ago. special support and the opportunity to live in society.
Complaints received in the Ombudsman’s Office on a daily basis, as well as observations of the Office’s representatives during regular visits to long-term social care and social rehabilitation institutions, proving that the current policy of responsible public administration institutions is not aimed at ensuring full interests and respect for persons living in long-term social care and social rehabilitation institutions. .
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