and rehabilitation centre. It should be positively mentioned that, in December 2016, 57 prisoners out of the 65 prisoners in penitentiary establishments and involved in tuberculosis treatment course were placed in the tuberculosis treatment and rehabilitation centre (establishment no. 19); other prisoners were placed in various establishments due to the security considerations. According to the information submitted by the Medical Department of the Ministry of Corrections, there are adequate conditions for anti-tuberculosis treatment in these establishments and remand/convicted persons suffering from tuberculoses are treated in accordance with the state programme guidelines under the supervision of the health-care professionals of the relevant specialisation. The Public Defender regretfully observes that his recommendation has not been fully accomplished. According to the information received from the Ministry of Corrections of Georgia, in 2016, 6,618 prisoners underwent hepatitis B and C testing (in 2015, this number amounted to 5,500). It should be positively mentioned that the hepatitis screening indicator has been increased and more prisoners are involved in the hepatitis C treatment course. In 2015, only 308 convicts received the treatment and in the course of 2016, 970 prisoners were treated for hepatitis C. In the Parliamentary Report of 2015, the Public Defender of Georgia recommended to the Minister of Health, Labour and Social Affairs of Georgia to make antivirus treatment available for remand persons for corresponding medical indications. The Public Defender recommended to the Minister of Corrections of Georgia to ensure treatment with sofosbuvir for foreign nationals and stateless persons, placed in penitentiary establishments, having corresponding medical needs. It should be positively mentioned that presently the beneficiaries of the programme are remand and convicted persons placed in penitentiary establishments regardless of whether they have a document certifying Georgian citizenship.329 In 2016, there was an increase in the number of prisoners screened for HIV/AIDS. In 2016, 7,809 prisoners underwent screening for HIV/AIDS. In 2015, 5,500 prisoners underwent screening for HIV/AIDS. As regards the prisoners involved in antivirus treatment for HIV/ AIDS, by December 2016, 68 patients were involved in the programme. 15 prisoners rejoined the same year. The penitentiary system still faces challenges in terms of full observance of statutory requirements for infection control, such as cold chain, and disinfection and sterilisation of medical instruments, objects and materials designated for multiple uses. The Medical Regulation Division, during its visit to penitentiary establishment no. 5330, inspected the central sterilisation room which has been recently arranged and refurbished. The surgical and manipulation instruments as well as dental instruments are sterilised in the central sterilisation room. There is a designated staff-member in charge of disinfection and sterilisation. However, at this stage, the process of disinfection and sterilisation in the dentist’s room is punctuated with shortcomings that need to be addressed to ensure that the procedures are in full compliance with the prerequisite standards. Personnel with 329 Resolution no. 169 of the Government of Georgia dated 20 April 2015 on Approving State Programme on Hepatitis C Management. 330 20 October 2016. NATIONAL PREVENTIVE MECHANISM (NPM), 2016 153