Russia-occupied Tskhinvali, facing difficult epidemiological situation, in need of humanitarian assistance

The Democracy Research Institute (DRI) has called on the Georgian authorities to immediately draw up an effective plan to manage the difficult epidemiological situation in Georgia’s Russia-occupied Tskhinvali region.

DRI states it is important to open closed checkpoints in order to increase access to quality healthcare and to establish vaccination points at the crossing point between Georgia and Tskhinvali.

If possible, Tskhinvali should be provided with vaccines, medical equipment and medicines by the Georgian government. COVID patients should be able to receive medical assistance at hospitals in Tbilisi-controlled territory”, said DRI.

DRI noted that the pandemic is being used by the de facto government of Tskhinvali to isolate the region from Tbilisi. ‘The de-facto government is restricting the right of free movement, which has extremely negative effects on the health and lives of locals’.

• Fearing coronavirus de facto Tskhinvali closes “border” with over 60 countries, including Georgia
• De facto Tskhinvali closes last crossing point connecting region with rest of Georgia

The de facto government of Tskhinvali has hidden information regarding new cases of coronavirus and the death toll for almost two years… Tskhinvali started publication of official statistics a few days ago. The population suspects that the number of infected people is much higher than the official data show”, reads an official statement of DRI.

Official data given by Tskhinvali say that 143 individuals have died of coronavirus since the beginning of the pandemic.

DRI says the local hospital in Tskhinvali region ‘is declared a red zone as there is an ‘unfavorable environment for human life and health’. Severe patients are often transferred to Vladikavkaz so that the death toll isn't attributed to Tskhinvali (South Ossetia).

There are no more beds in Tskhinvali hospital and beds are in corridors. Severe patients have to find places on their own. Over 20 patients have to share bathrooms… There are not enough drugs and doctors do not follow safety precautions'', says DRI.

Up to 20 new cases of infection are recorded daily in the Russia-occupied Akhalgori district, where a total of 800 people live. Akhalgori hospital is empty as there are not enough doctors in the area. Patients are either undergoing treatment at home or transferred to Tskhinvali.

• Elderly, medics from Georgia’s occupied regions allowed to undergo Covid-19 vaccination on Tbilisi-controlled territory
• Occupied Abkhazia, Tskhinvali reject offer from Tbilisi to vaccinate health workers, elderly

In an interview with local news agencies, the chief doctor of Akhalgori District Hospital, Jemal Bedoev, said that 2,000 doses of the Russian coronavirus vaccine Sputnik were given to Tkhinvali, but due to a violation of storage conditions, the vaccine was unusable.

Bedoev said nobody has been vaccinated with Sputnik in Akhalgori.