Former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili’s personal doctor Nika Kipshidze says that the ex-president has post-traumatic stress disorder following a 50-day hunger strike, and thus requires the attention of mental health professionals.
After visiting the ex-president, Kipshidze also noted that risks to Saakashvili’s health remain and noted that, if needed, specialists from abroad could also be involved.
Saakashvili accepted the Georgian government’s offer to be transferred to Gori military hospital on November 19, and is currently undergoing treatment following the hunger strike.
Kipshidze also stated that the former president is grateful to hospital staff, adding that there is a big difference between the military hospital and Gldani prison facility where Saakashvili was transferred earlier this month against his will.
Elene Giorgadze, a doctor from the medical council created to monitor Saakshvili’s health, states that the ex-president's condition is gradually improving, noting that weakness remains ‘which is natural.’
He agrees to be transferred to the Gori hospital and will end the hunger strike after transfer - Nika Gvaramia on @SaakashviliM
— Mtavari TV (@MtavariChannel) November 19, 2021
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Hunger markers are normal. Nutrients reached the lower limit of the norm. We will move to the observation stage from tomorrow,” said Giorgadze.
She also emphasised that his condition is stable, adding that the first three days are critical when a person ends starvation.
Today the blood pressure was stable, we did not need to add any medicine even once,” reported Giorgadze.
A member of the medical council, doctor Ineza Sulamanidze also reported on the ex-president’s health and said that his condition has improved.
His condition is stable. There were no complications during these two days,” said Sulamanidze.
Saakashvili, who is serving a sentence for abuse of power, considers himself a political prisoner, and therefore began a hunger strike on the day he was arrested in Tbilisi on October 1, ending it on November 19.
The Defence Ministry of Georgia reported that Gori military hospital is a multipurpose clinic where ‘24-hour emergency and scheduled medical care is available.’