Center Empathy: Vivamed cannot ensure the proper management and treatment of the patient's health condition - Mikheil Saakashvili should be immediately removed from the prison system of Georgia

According to the Center Empathy, the Vivamed clinic cannot provide proper management and treatment of Mikheil Saakashvili's health condition, which is why he "must be immediately removed from the prison system of Georgia".

According to Empathy experts, Saakashvili's condition did not improve during the 7 months at the Vivamed clinic, and on the contrary, his health condition worsened.

"The Empathy Center conducted a forensic medical examination of Mr. Mikheil Saakashvili at the request of the lawyers defending his interests. 17 local and international experts participated in the examination. The expert report was delivered to the party ordering the examination on November 29, 2022. Additionally, as part of the examination, the conclusion of the American toxicologist was also presented, which was made public.

Forensic medical examination, by local or international standards, is an independent activity, in particular, experts are subjects of independent professional activity and do not represent any party; Accordingly, our conclusion could not be agreed with any party, including the administration of the Vivamed clinic (Penitentiary Service contractor clinic).

In the course of the examination, taking into account the principle of collegiality, the experts of the Empathy Center cooperated and shared opinions with the colleagues of the Vivamed clinic, professionals involved in patient management. Our diagnoses were shared with them.

During 7 months, the patient's condition did not improve in "Vivamed" clinic, on the contrary, his health condition worsened. Considering the complexity of the case and the probability of intoxication, despite many diagnoses, it was not possible to determine the etiological factors. Accordingly, symptomatic and maintenance therapy is being carried out, which cannot prevent the progression of severe diagnoses.

At the same time, during the stay of the patient in the Vivamed clinic, there was a gross violation of the "Georgian Law on Patient Rights" (Chapter V. Confidentiality and inviolability of personal life: Article 27 - the provider of medical services is obliged to protect the confidentiality of information about the patient under its supervision both during the patient's life and after death) and the disclosure of sensitive footage and video recordings to the patient, which is considered a violation of Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights and is a classic example of degrading treatment. Vivamed clinic failed to prevent the mentioned violation, moreover, the clinic did not even make a statement in this direction, which is at least equivalent to "silent consent".

Therefore, taking into account the complex and combined diagnoses and incorrect management, it is a fact that the Vivamed clinic - a contractor institution of the Penitentiary Service, cannot provide proper management and treatment of the patient's health condition, and cannot function independently of the Penitentiary Service in relation to the said patient.

Taking into account the possibility of intoxication and the continued torture and improper treatment, psychological pressure and blackmail of Mikheil Saakashvili under the conditions of imprisonment, taking into account the serious diagnoses, taking into account the ineffectiveness of the treatment, we think that Mikheil Saakashvili should be immediately removed from the Georgian prison system," the statement reads.