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Armenian Health Minister Anahit Avanesyan on Tuesday held a phone conversation with World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, briefing him on the current situation in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) resulting from the Azerbaijani blockade of the Lachin corridor.

In its readout of the call, the Health Ministry said they discussed the following matters with the WHO support expected to overcome the humanitarian crisis: sending a mission to assess the situation on the ground; the possibility of supplying necessary medical items and medicines to Artsakh and the WHO’s clear stance on the situation.

Avanesyan highlighted that the only road to Artsakh has been blocked for 51 days now, electricity, gas and internet shutdowns continue, resulting in suspension and delays of planned surgeries.

59 critically ill patients have been transferred from Artsakh to Armenia for life-saving medical care under the ICRC mediation to date. The minister also said that one patient died because of the lack of urgent treatment amid the blockade.

Avanesyan thanked WHO Regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge for addressing the issue during the briefing of the Executive Board meeting.

The WHO chief expressed concern over the situation and pledged to find solutions through joint work.

The Armenian health minister said she will maintain constant contact with the WHO to provide updates on the developments and to record progress in the matters discussed with the WHO.