Medical panel invited by ombudswoman: Saakashvili needs ‘immediate transfer’ to civil clinic

Georgian government officials say that former president Mikheil Saakashvili’s transfer to a civil clinic carries safety risks. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge. 

Agenda.ge, 18 Nov 2021 - 11:26, Tbilisi,Georgia

A medical council composed of eight health experts under Georgian Public Defender Nino Lomjaria has presented its conclusion on the health of former president Mikheil Saakashvili, stating that the patient’s condition on the 49th day of his hunger strike is ‘critical,’  and he needs an ‘immediate transfer’ to a multi-profile, well-equipped civilian clinic. 

The council of doctors visited Saakashvili in Gldani Prison No.18 hospital, where he was transferred last week ‘to prevent complications in his health,’ on November 16. 

The conclusion says that Saakashvili is really on hunger strike and currently he has the following health problems: Wernicke encephalopathy (an acute neurological condition characterized by a clinical triad of ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, and confusion), persistent hypokalemia (abnormalities of renal function), thalassemia (an inherited blood disorder) with  high probability of gastrointestinal bleeding. 

The experts say that Saakashvili refuses to receive complete treatment and that he is in a ‘highly stressful environment.’