“The Patriarch listened to us and said he will communicate with all relevant parties in order to address this problem. We hope that the Patriarchate will take concrete steps and that decisions will be made as quickly as possible,” said Zakhro Gvishiani, a parent of a child with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, after the meeting with the Patriarch.

He also noted that a very good and meaningful meeting was held at the Patriarchate.

According to Gvishiani, the Patriarch mentioned that children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy will be periodically blessed.

“A very good and meaningful meeting was held. I think it was productive. We provided the Patriarch and the bishops with all the information we have been voicing over this entire period, especially during the recent ongoing protests. Plans were outlined in all directions. It is difficult to say anything definitively in advance, but plans were made for them to be involved in this process - in the communication process, possibly in the creation of a fund.

They listened and learned about the disease. They understood that there are several medications for this condition that are safe, and that the information often spread by certain individuals is incorrect and incomplete. Therefore, this meeting was necessary so that the Patriarchate has accurate and correct information regarding both the medications and the disease.

We hope that the Patriarchate will take concrete steps and that decisions will be reached as soon as possible regarding the issues we have been raising for a long time, meaning access to medication.

The Patriarch listened to us and said he will communicate with all relevant individuals to resolve this issue. He will communicate on all matters with all relevant officials, people, including doctors, in order to make the process more effective,” Gvishiani said.

For context, parents of children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy met with the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Shio III. The meeting took place at the Patriarchate.