The right to health of the Akhalgori population is again restricted by the de facto government. The residents of Akhalgori are prohibited not only from moving to the controlled territory of the Central Government of Georgia and receiving quality medical services there, but also from receiving the planned services at the Akhalgori local hospital.

At the initial stage of the spread of the pandemic, the de facto government explained the discriminatory approach to the Akhalgori population by the spread of Covid-19, but now the situation in Tskhinvali region has changed. Due to the fact that there is no officially confirmed case of coronavirus infection, the de facto government of Tskhinvali region has decided to ease the quarantine measures in place. According to the news agency "Res", trade facilities, beauty centers and sewing salons have resumed work[1] in so-called South Ossetia. Also, by the decision of the de facto head, three vitally important artificial lung ventilation devices were given to North Ossetia[2] from Tskhinvali. [3]

Comparing to the softened policy in Tskhinvali, the situation is extremely different in Akhalgori, where the discrimination facts have intensified. The administration of the local hospital refuses planned hospitalization of people with special needs and patients with severe diagnoses. In addition to this, severe patients are not allowed to move to Tbilisi.

According to the locals, lack of quality medical services is the most serious problem for them. In the conditions of relatively simplified movement, when one could go to Gori or Tbilisi, the problem was not so acute.

The Democracy Research Institute calls on the Georgian authorities to take all possible measures to ensure that critically ill patients living in Akhalgori receive planned medical care in the territory controlled by the central government.

[1] News Agency “RES”, "Restrictions in South Ossetia have been extended until April 30, but for some facilities, the restrictions have been lifted", http://cominf.org/node/1166529499

[2] At the moment, the number of infected people in North Ossetia is more than 500 and is increasing.

[3] News Agency “RES”, http://cominf.org/node/1166529567