On February 19, 2020, the Public Defender of Georgia visited the multipurpose clinic (BMC) opened under the Batumi psychiatric institution. The Public Defender inspected the living and treating areas of the institution, relaxation space and outdoor infrastructure, which is currently under reconstruction. The Public Defender also met and talked with the staff and patients of the institution. About 150 people are placed in the clinic, which has both acute and geriatric departments.

The Public Defender praised the implementation of Public Defender's recommendations by the facility, in particular, the improvement of sanitary-hygienic conditions, as well as living and therapeutic environment in the psychiatric department, which had been a systemic problem for years. However, the Public Defender again emphasizes the need to accelerate the process of deinstitutionalization and the development of community-based services.

The Public Defender considers that placement of people with mental health problems in large institutions is not in compliance with the requirements of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.