The Public Defender expresses sorrow over the death of the beneficiaries as a result of the fire that broke out in the Mukhrani Savane home for older persons, offers his condolences to the families of the deceased and wishes the injured a speedy recovery.

Given the vulnerability of those housed in the facilities for older persons, it is particularly important to maintain a high standard of safety conditions in such institutions.

For years, the Public Defender has been monitoring long-term care facilities for older persons and checking the compliance of the quality of service delivery with the established standards, presenting the findings in annual parliamentary reports and monitoring reports. According to the established international and national standards, the beneficiaries should receive services in a safe environment,[1] the safety of their residence place and surrounding environment should be protected.[2]

The Public Defender explains that it is necessary for the relevant agencies to conduct a timely and effective investigation regarding the mentioned fact in order to determine the causes of the fire and take appropriate measures to prevent a similar incident in the future.

[1] Safety and sanitary conditions (standard No. 3), Order No. 01-54/n of the Minister of Labour, Health and Social Affairs of July 23, 2014, on approval of minimum standards of services for persons with disabilities and older persons in 24-hiur specialized institutions.

https://matsne.gov.ge/document/view/2391345?publication=6

[2] Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing and the Political Declaration

https://www.un.org/esa/socdev/documents/ageing/MIPAA/political-declaration-en.pdf