21:33 - 14.06.2018

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June 14, Fineko/abc.az.  Sahil Babayev: "Serious steps should be taken towards application of new model in accordance with international standards in the field of social services and increasing effectiveness in the rehabilitation system"
A consultation on issues of improving the activities of social service and rehabilitation institutions, increasing the quality of services provided in these areas was held at the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Population.
Minister of labour and social protection of population Sahil Babayev emphasized that as a further manifestation of the special care of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev on the social sphere, in the past period, the network of social service and rehabilitation facilities has been significantly expanded in the country, new rehabilitation centers for persons with disabilities have been created in the regions, as well as social institutions for persons without a certain place of residence and minors who are neglected, in a socially dangerous situation in Baku, in recent years. As a result of humanist initiatives of First Vice President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva, two residential houses were built in Absheron district and 243 flats were presented to graduates of state-owned children's institutions.

Construction of another residential building for young people from this class is also completed at the institution operating as the "Graduate House" Social Institution. AS well as the State Rehabilitation Center for Children with Special Needs started operating with the support of the Foundation in recent years, conditions for living and rehabilitation according to modern requirements have been created in social service institutions for children with disabilities. 

The minister noted that at present, about 1300 people, including 290 children with limited health live in social service institutions in state support. These enterprises are intended for provision of social services to persons of the appropriate categories in stationary conditions. The services should be improved on the basis of new, modern, rehabilitation-oriented approaches, should be set in a way that can guarantee a positive return in the life of the persons provided with service. The measures towards employment, including self-employment of able-bodied persons of them should also be taken. In general, the quality of social services should be increased, transparency should be fully ensured, serious steps should be taken to introduce a new social service model that meets international standards. 

S.Babayev underlined that on the instructions of the head of state important work is being carried out in recent years for the rehabilitation infrastructure to meet the most up-to-date requirements. Now, there is a high standard of rehabilitation conditions at the Republican Rehabilitation Center for Disabled, the Children's Rehabilitation Center, and the State Rehabilitation Center for Children with Special Needs of the ministry. Major overhaul and reconstruction works are being completed in Mardakan Treatment Boarding House and modern rehabilitation and treatment conditions are also being created here. Work in this direction is continued in other recovery facilities. Only in 5 months of the current year more than 9000 people were provided with stationary and outpatient rehabilitation services at the ministry's rehabilitation centers. However, along with the ones mentioned, the level of rehabilitation among persons with disabilities is much lower. Therefore, the effectiveness of the rehabilitation centers should be measured by the results achieved by the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities, with an increase in the level of rehabilitation.

The assessment mechanism should be applied on this principle. In addition to the medical approach, the rehabilitation system should also be socially oriented and play a role in the active involvement of relevant individuals in society.

The minister emphasized the importance of improving the rehabilitation treatment procedures in the rehabilitation institutions, enhancing the professionalism of doctors and rehabilitation specialists, and the establishment of a mechanism for action of these enterprises for concrete results.

S.Babayev noted that the main purpose of the work in the field of social and rehabilitation services is to achieve the return of these people to life and bringing them to society. Therefore, individual rehabilitation plan on each person in these institutions should be developed. 

At the consultation, activities of social service and rehabilitation institutions were discussed in detail, it was decided to prepare a program of events based on proposals reflecting strategic approaches to improve the quality of services provided in these areas, and assignments were given to the heads of relevant structural divisions of the ministry.