Reconciliation Minister: people in Russian-occupied Tskhinvali have no access to vitally important healthcare services

People in Russian-occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region don’t have access to vitally important healthcare services as the region has been in isolation for months, State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality Ketevan Tsikhelashvili stated earlier today.

Tsikhelashvili noted that since September 4, 2019, 13 individuals have died because of the situation on the ground.

De facto Tskhinvali closed crossing points with Georgia on September 4, 2019 and, since then, 13 people have lost their lives. This does not fit into any of the principles of humanity. Of course, it is completely illegal to violate the fundamental rights to life and health”, said Tsikhelashvili.

• Occupied Akhalgori civic activist says up to 10 dead due to illegal closure of crossing points in area

Tsikhelashvili has called on all decision making individuals not to interfere with those who are in need of help and allow them the opportunity to move to Tbilisi-controlled territory.

As you know, Georgia has a free state referral program, with the help of which many lives of the residents of Tskhinvali and Abkhazia regions have been saved. The Georgian state serves all citizens, regardless of ethnic origin” said Tsikheashvili.

RFE/RL reports that last week two individuals have died in the Russian-occupied Akhalgori district hospital and two others are in critical condition.

 The reason for this is the closure of the so-called border, due to which the residents of Akhalgori cannot enter Tbilisi. The Occupying regime makes no exception for patients in need of emergency care. 

• Woman with urgent need of aid dies due to closed ‘checkpoint’ with occupied Tskhinvali

Georgian media outlet Netgazeti.ge reported earlier today that a 70-ear-old man from the village of Ikoti was diagnosed with cancer in Tskhinvali and doctors advised him to go to Tbilisi for treatment.

Gocha Bunturi, the son of the patient says that all measures have been taken, including negotiations with the local de facto government, but in vain.

Another patient is Naira Cherkezishvili, who is currently in Akhalgori clinic with acute heart disease. The woman needs emergency surgery on her heart, but she is also unable to receive medical treatment in the Tbilisi-controlled area.

Due to the lack of healthcare services and qualified medical staff, patients in Akhalgori clinic are unable to receive proper services, writes Netgazeti.ge.

 A 65-year-old man was buried in Akhalgori yesterday. He had called an ambulance several times in recent weeks as he had low blood pressure. Later he visited the hospital himself, but was not treated properly and died at the clinic.