We Call on Doctors Not to Engage in Political or Other Types of Activism – Artsakh Ministry of Health

Today, a call was registered at the Artsakh Healthcare Ministry's "Stepanakert Emergency Medical Assistance Station" to provide medical examinations for two citizens who began a hunger strike a few days ago. The medical team that arrived at the scene provided appropriate assistance to the citizens on hunger strike.

“However, due to evident political motives, one of the citizens present at the scene exhibited blatant disrespect towards the emergency medical personnel, attributing statements and actions to them that were presented in their own interpretation. At the same time, labeling and disrespectful behavior were displayed towards the doctors who had come to fulfill their professional duty, which is strictly condemnable. Incidentally, the mentioned citizen states that they also called an ambulance days ago, based on which the emergency medical personnel went to the scene. In this regard, we would also like to inform that this statement is absolutely false, as the medical personnel went to visit the citizens on hunger strike on their own initiative, rather than in response to a call.

We urge that attempts not be made to involve doctors in political or other types of actions; they are performing their professional duty regardless of whether the citizens belong to a political, national, or any other group. Especially during these days, when the entire healthcare system is engaged in enhanced services to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus infection in Artsakh, it is essential to honor and show the necessary respect towards our medical personnel, whereas certain groups are doing the exact opposite. We strongly condemn the displays of inappropriate behavior in interactions with the medical personnel, hoping that such provocations will not be repeated again,” stated the Artsakh Ministry of Health.