Prishtina, May 07, 2019 – This Report refers to the findings of NPMT, accomplished during the visits conducted on 9 August 2018 and 31 January 2019 at the Children’s Home in Shtime. On August 9, 2018 the visit was performed by NPMT team as well as from two Council of Europe’s experts, in the capacity of observers. While the visit on January 31, 2019 was a follow-up visit, which was accomplished by the NPMT monitoring team.

During NPMT visit, the staff of the Children’s Home in Shtime provided the Monitoring Team with full cooperation. The team, without delay, had access to all facilities and conversations with residents were enabled, and they were allowed to talk with residents without the presence of the staff of the Home.

The Children’s Home in Shtime is an open-type institution, where residents are diagnosed with General Learning Disability (Intellectual disability-delay in mental development). During the visit, the NPMT found that 10 persons of different ages (as much as its capacity is) are accommodated there. During the visit, the NPMT noticed a positive climate and good relations between residents and staff, close relationship, warm and friendly approaches by staff towards residents.

The NPMT did not notice any sign of body injuries at any of residents. During the visit conducted on 9 August 2018, the NPMT noted that the material conditions for the residents in general were very poor. Apart this fact, residents were poorly dressed and no sufficient and adequate beddings was available. During the visit the NPMT found that the House urgently needed renovation inside and outside it.

During the follow-up visit on January 31, 2019, the NPMT found that the given facility has been thoroughly repaired, even though, the team noticed that kitchen needs to be repaired in order to make it adequate and safe for use.

As per psycho-social and recreational activities the NPMT found that the number and the quality of such activities is poor and there is no individualized treatment plan according to residents’ needs and capacities.

Health and psychiatric service is common with the Special Institute in Shtime. During the visit accomplished, the NPMT noted that there is a room at Children’s Home in Shtime for provision of medical services, in which files and medications are stored as well. Supply with medicines is done by MLSW and is done on regular bases. The NPMT considers that a special space for physiotherapy should be established as well as a physiotherapist should be hired.

The NPMT noted that for residents using Clozapine, there is no proof that examination as per white blood cell measurement was done, based on evidence-based recommendations.

Based on findings and ascertainments achieved during the visit, pursuant to Article 135, paragraph 3, of the Constitution of Republic of Kosovo and Article 16, paragraph 4 of the Law 05/L019 on Ombudsperson, the Ombudsperson recommends the Ministry  of Labour and Social Welfare:

• To supply the residents with suitable clothing and wearing for all seasons of the year.
• To set up a separate special space for physiotherapy treatment.   
• To provide special services such as: occupational therapy, clinical psychologist, physiotherapy.
• To supply Children’s Home in Shtime with working material for development of different activities as well as to foster psyche-social activities.
• To repair kitchen according to the needs.
• To set individual plans of residents’ treatment.
• Residents who take Clozapine, on regular bases to undergo blood examinations

Link of the Report: LINK