MOSCOW, October 13 (RAPSI) – Russian human rights ombudsman Tatiana Moskalkova believes that there is a need to establish a service to protect the rights of psychiatric clinics’ patients, the ombudsman told RAPSI on Friday.

According to Moskalkova, a protection service for these patients was accounted for by the law on psychiatric help but these provisions of the law were not realized in 20 years. The idea was supported by legislators but Russia’s Government, Ministry of Healthcare and public were not able to find a place for this service within existing system.

The ombudsman noted that the service should be independent and answer directly to the Government as is the case with the Russian consumer rights agency (Rospotrebnadzor). The service should also be able to establish its own territorial bodies and employ specialists, Moskalkova said, adding that the ombudsman’s office is ready to cooperate and help the service.