Since April 29, the transfer of medical patients from Artsakh to Armenian medical institutions through the mediation of the International Committee of the Red Cross has stopped. Medicine is also not reaching Artsakhg

According to Maya Azatyan, public relations officer of the Artsakh Ministry of Health, two seriously ill patients were transferred from Artsakh to specialized medical institutions in Armenia escorted by Russian peacekeeping troops, and thirty patients are waiting for urgent transfer. 

"Transportation of patients is not being carried out at the moment, which is why this problem is becoming increasingly urgent," says Maya Azatyan.

As a result of the suspension of the import of medicines, scheduled surgeries were stopped in all medical institutions under the purview of theArtsakh Ministry of Health, which were partially restored weeks ago.

The ministry reports that the reason is another obstacle caused by the Azerbaijani side. Near Shushi, in the blocked section of the road, the representatives of the Azerbaijani security forces demanded to check the passports and cars of the drivers of the Red Cross and the transported medical personnel, which contradicts the norms of international humanitarian law.

According to the Red Cross, the committee made the decision to stop the transportation of patients and the supply of medicines.

"We informed the relevant bodies about our decision. We are currently in negotiations with all decision-making parties. We need to understand what conditions the parties will agree on in the current situation, under which the Red Cross will be able to continue its work as a neutral mediator. The Azerbaijani side did not prohibit the transfer of patients. It was our decision, because by transferring people as a neutral intermediary, we assume their safety. To be able to guarantee it, we must be sure that there are agreed terms that are acceptable to all. Only in that case we can resume our activities," says Red Cross public relations officer Eteri Musayelyan.

Musayelyan says medicine was last transported through the Red Cross on April 20.

According to the information of the staff of the Minister of State of Armenia Gurgen Nersisyan, the supply of goods takes place exclusively through Russian peacekeepers, in limited quantities.

Essential goods and food are delivered through Russian peacekeepers. Fodder and certain accessories for agriculture are also brought with great difficulty and in limited quantities. Humanitarian goods are brought in via the same route, through a checkpoint in the Lachine Corridor.

The Azerbaijani "eco-activists" have left the Lachin corridor (crossroads under Shushi-Karin), but the armed servicemen of the Azerbaijani police and internal troops are standing there now, causing a bilateral blockade in Artsakh of the Lisagor, Yegtsahogh, Mets Shen and Hin Shen communities of the Shushi regio. Residents are cut off from both Stepanakert and the Republic of Armenia. After the establishment of the Azerbaijani checkpoint on the Hakari bridge on April 23, it was only once possible to transport food and medicine to these communities through Russian peacekeepers.

People get necessities through the coupon system. Individuals receive 10-20 liters of fuel per month.

At the same time, the office of the Minister of State informs that to save electricity, Artsakh will soon switch to a new regime of fan shutdowns.

Photo from the FB page of the Artsakh Information Headquarters