Going for Tests, They Say Materials Are Not Available and Can't Be Done: Open Letter from a Soldier's Parent on Systemic Flaws

A soldier's parent has written an open letter regarding systemic flaws.

“As a soldier's parent, whose son has participated in the brutal 44-day war since day one, I visited the Muratsan hospital. Under disgraceful conditions of queues in the reception area, I managed to reach a doctor, who without registering me, ‘shuffled’ me to the city polyclinic. Without saying an extra word, I left the hospital.

I visited the polyclinic, some tests were done, and they provided a list of tests that the polyclinic does not perform, yet are crucial for diagnosis. On Monday, having not eaten or drunk, I again visited the Muratsan hospital. In the laboratory, they looked at the list of required tests and said that the materials for them were not available and could not be done. By the way, many parents faced the same situation, including a mother of a fallen soldier.

I do not understand what it means that materials are not available. What is the Ministry of Defense doing with billions of drams each year if there are no laboratory materials at the hospital? So, let them stop cruising in ‘black jeeps’ and think about the health of the servicemen. If there is money, then people are to blame whose inaction has created this criminal situation.

Regardless of everything, the state system has little regard for the citizen. I have no doubt that our soldier sons are served under the same conditions. I want to make the leadership of the state system—the Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, Chief of Staff, and Chairman of the Security Council—aware of this disgraceful situation, so that measures can be taken for improvement.”