Ekaterine Tikaradze: Other patients were transferred to different clinics for surgical needs, if Saakashvili needs surgical intervention, of course, a decision will be made in favor of him

According to the Minister of Health Minister, Ekaterine Tikaradze, at this stage Mikheil Saakashvili does not need to be transferred to a civil clinic.

According to the Minister, the patient will not forcibly admitted to the hospital of the penitentiary institution. She also noted that the prison hospital meets all the necessary conditions for Mikheil Saakashvili.

"It is important to consider the following - a number of questions have arisen about the extent to which the penitentiary hospital meets all the necessary requirements that any patient needs. That is why yesterday, the Regulatory Agency received an assignment, as a result of which, it will enter the penitentiary hospital today and check the readiness not only for patient Saakashvili, but also for the safety of other patients. As for the recommendations of the experts, it was recommended to do a Doppler examination for the patient, which was performed yesterday and the patient has no complications in this regard. We take into account all the recommendations given by the experts, however clinical substantiation is important, of course.

I assure you that he will not face any vital risks. The patient is under constant monitoring. Therefore, all risks are minimized. His personal doctor does not have any restrictions, he can spend time with the patient at any time of the day and make a relevant conclusion,” Tikaradze said.

As for why Saakashvili is not being transferred to a civil clinic, whereas in 2020 more than 500 patients were transferred from prisons to private hospitals, the minister said:

"It really is not like that. These patients were transferred to different clinics for medical needs - surgical intervention. If patient Saakashvili also needs surgical interventions, of course, a decision will be made in favor of the patient. At this stage he has no need to be transferred to another clinic. That's it. There is no way a patient can be forcibly admitted to a penitentiary hospital. This hospital meets all the necessary conditions and today, it is the only subject of discussion in the society," Tikaradze said.