WHO fears for Hungarian psychiatric treatment

Based on a recent survey, the World Health Organization predicts that Hungary is likely to face a crisis in psychiatric treatment, writes daily Népszabadság. The organization's European regional consultant believes the biggest problem to be the lack of a coherent social and rehabilitative system to help patients cope with acute illness.

The WHO survey also showed that the number of hospital beds - and especially nurses - to be insufficient. In addition, family doctors are not interested or competent in diagnosing the illness.

The health ministry agrees that the area is facing a meltdown. Worn out and in some cases dilapidated facilities not only increase stigmatization but can also be considered discrimination against patients and staff, a report posted on the ministry's website says.

This amounts to an admission that reforms in this area have been unsuccessful, the daily comments.

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