Estonian hospital patients tortured

TALLINN - The Estonian human rights watchdog said Wednesday that patients in some local hospitals are subject to methods designed to bring about their deaths, including being overdosed or denied drugs.

"Patients are tied (to their beds) illegally at some hospitals and there are cases when health care providers try knowingly to take steps that will cause the death of the patient," the Estonian Human Rights Center said in its annual report.

There are also cases of doctors giving patients overdoses or refusing to give them the drugs they need, the report added, informs LETA/AFP.

The report was based on a study alleging widespread abuse of patients, compiled by the Estonian Patients' Advocacy Association in 2011 and based on testimonies from patients or their relatives in 17 hospitals, AFPreports.

The rights center has also asked the government to set up a watchdog office to handle patients' complaints and prevent abuses, which campaigners claim have been sidelined for too long.