20:03, 17 February 2023

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 17, ARMENPRESS. The information headquarters of Artsakh presented the bulletin of the 68th day of the blockade as of February 17. ARMENPRESS reports, it is stated in the message of the information headquarters of Artsakh that 3 children are in the neonatal and resuscitation departments of the children's hospital. 8 adult patients are in the intensive care unit, 5 of them are in critical condition. Already 261 children have been born under the blockade.

"Due to the suspension of planned surgeries in all medical institutions of Artsakh, about 660 citizens were deprived of the opportunity to solve their health problems through surgery.

Until today, 105 patients have been transferred from Artsakh to Armenia with the mediation and escort of the International Committee of the Red Cross to receive appropriate treatment," the message states.

The information headquarters of Artsakh informs that 755 economic entities, 17.7 percent of the total, have suspended their activities due to the impossibility of working under the blockade, and the rest of the economic entities are operating partially or with state support.

"Due to the created difficult economic situation, at least 5,100 people have lost their jobs and source of income," reads the message.

Azerbaijan has been holding the 120,000 people of Artsakh under siege for 68 days. Due to the blockade, Artsakh's population of 120,000 (including around 30,000 children, 20,000 elderly people, 9,000 people with disabilities) suffer many deprivations and face a high risk of malnutrition and frostbite, among violations of other rights.

41 kindergartens, 56 pre-school groups, 20 long-day educational institutions have been closed or partially working since January 9 due to the worsening food shortage under the blockade.

6,828 children are no longer able to attend kindergarten at all or on a long-day basis, depriving them of the opportunity to receive appropriate education and care.