YEREVAN, MARCH 7, ARMENPRESS. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) facilitated the transfer of 9 patients from blockaded Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) to Armenia for treatment on March 7, the healthcare ministry of Nagorno Karabakh reported.

“Due to the blocking by Azerbaijan of the only road connecting Artsakh with Armenia, 9 patients from the Republican Medical Center the Republic of Artsakh with serious diseases of the oncology and pathologies requiring emergency surgical interventions have been transported today, on March 7, to specialized medical institutions of the Republic of Armenia with the mediation and escort of the International Committee of the Red Cross,” the ministry said in a statement posted on social media.

“9 patients, who had been transferred to Armenia for medical treatment, returned to Artsakh together with their accompanying persons. Scheduled surgeries continue to be suspended in the medical centers of the Republic of Artsakh. 6 children remain in the neonatal and intensive care unit of the Arevik medical centre. 6 patients remain in the intensive care unit of the Republican Medical Centre, 1 of them in critical condition.A total of 153 patients have been transported so far from Artsakh to Armenia with the mediation and support of the International Committee of the Red Cross,” the ministry added.