Médecins Sans Frontières Medical Team Visits Tskhinvali Hospital

On August 23, a Médecins Sans Frontières emergency team, based in Tbilisi, has been able to gain access to the separatist province of South Ossetia and visit Tskhinvali Hospital. Médecins Sans Frontières, which currently provides support to internally displaced people in Tbilisi, has offered to provide medical assistance for those affected by the recent conflict in South Ossetia.

The situation in this province has been slowly returning to normal in the aftermath of the peace accord signed by Russia and Georgia. Up until now,  access to Tskhinvali, the capital of the separatist province, had been refused to Médecins Sans Frontières. However on August 23, a Médecins Sans Frontières team was granted entry to visit Tskhinvali hospital, where it met with hospital directors.

“The two deputy medical directors told us that local medical teams had been coping with the emergency under highly difficult circumstances and that the Russian authorities had very quickly rushed large quantities of material assistance to the scene”, said Filipe Ribeiro, emergency program coordinator for Médecins Sans Frontières.

During the visit, the Médecins Sans Frontières team noted that a field hospital has been set up under tents within the confines of the republican hospital. The most severe cases have been transferred to North Ossetia, and relief supplies have come in from Russia. In spite of this, "The exact nature of any additional possible needs hasn’t been determined yet", said Filipe Riberio, "Discussions are continuing as to what assistance Médecins Sans Frontières can offer to health care centers and other hospitals in South Ossetia.

Médecins Sans Frontières activities in Georgia

The clashes in Georgia have caused massive displacement. Médecins Sans Frontières emergency teams in Tbilisi, Georgia’s capital, have been treating patients in many sites where internally displaced persons have gathered. Médecins Sans Frontières doctors have seen 497 patients since August 14 and in addition the teams have distributed 113 kits for babies (pillows, talcum powder)and 582 hygiene kits. The hygiene kit is a sealed packet that includes soap, toothpaste, sanitary towlettes, washing detergent, candles, matches, drinking cups.

Needs are being assessed in other regions in Georgia (Imeretia and Samegrelo) where support is expected to be delivered soon.