In the complete isolation of the outlying Sogd district in North-East Tajikistan, a former miner's village serves as a psychiatric institution for 90 male and 90 female patients. Dr. Rustam, a motivated doctor with great compassion for his patients, is in charge of the hospital. The living conditions are less than basic. There is a lack of elementary issues like proper food, clothing, housing and medicines. The treatment consists of precluding severe psychoses and agression with the use of too little and out dated medication.

TSP, together with GIP, are some of the few organisations which are concerned about their plight and help them survive under these terrible circumstances. The support consist of financing food purchases, placing glass in the windows, coal for heating, new shoes for patients and installing solar panels. Together with GIP and private donations TSP developed a mini farm, which supplies extra nutrition for weak patients and offers occupational therapy for the patients. Much .... much more support is needed to help the patients to survive!

› Hamdilon ‹

People with mental health problems are among the most excluded in the Tajik society. Tajik society has very little knowledge of the causes, possible treatments and needs of persons with psychiatric disorders. Families experience feelings of shame and guilt if a member of the family suffers from mental illness and in extreme cases the mentally ill individual is abandoned by the family and ends up being a permanent resident of a psychiatric hospital. Moreover, there is a lack of user organizations in Tajikistan and the disrespect of users’ rights and choices by mental health care professionals, some of whom still believe that “psychiatric illness is a punishment from God and, crucially, that it is therefore primarily God who can cure the patient”. This believe also contributes to the limited engagement of the wider community in supporting people with mental disabilities.

Since Januari 2008 TSP (together with GIP) supports the project “Development of Mental Health Care User Movement in Tajikistan”. The overall objective is to improve the situation of mental health users in Tajikistan. The project aim is to set up a sustainable system in which users of mental health care can undertake meaningful activities and advocate their rights.

In 2008 a club of mental health users was established in Dushanbe. A whole range of recreational and educational activities was organized. Four Bulletins on mental health issues were published and the project manager participated in a TV program devoted to the Mental Health Week. Advocacy for rights of mental health care users received special attention. Given that a user movement has started in Tajikistan and the User organisation is now registered officially, it is possible to continue their activities in 2009, start negotiation with local authorities to lobby for their interests, start advocacy activities, and become involved in the preparation of the National Strategic plan for Mental Health.

› Children’s Centre of Mental Health ‹

The 'Republican child and adolescent centre of Mental Health' is situated in the capital Dushanbe. Since 1993 this clinic treats children with a mental handicap and/or psychiatric disorder. The institution comprises an in-patient department for 30 children and an out-patient department day care centre for another 30 patients. 40 dedicated professionals work under guidance of dr. Shokir Mahmadnazarov. The clinic is only in its type in Tajikistan and is notable for its good organisation and the reliability of the management.

TSP supports the Centre through financial donations, enabling it to buy the needed food, clothes, play material and maintenance of the buildings. For example in 2006 TSP installed solar panels to intercept the frequent power cuts, a fire warning and extinguishing system was also installed. 

 

› Your support is desperately needed!! ‹

TSP tries ... with your support ... to help the most vulnerable people in this poor country in a meaningful way. With your support we help them out in supplying the most elementary things that we in the West take for granted, like food, clothes, a roof and job training. The support is embedded in a network of aid agencies.

In this way TSP tries to establish a sustainable and reliable working relationship with its counterparts.

Please, you can donate directly on our

bank account nr: 3148.99.936

IBAN: NL78 RABO 0314 8999 36

!!Thank You very much!!

 

› Closed Projects ‹

To see our closed projects click on this link

 

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