A number of critically-ill patients can’t receive lifesaving medical care due to Azerbaijan’s blockade of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh), the Minister of Healthcare of Armenia Anahit Avanesyan said.

“It pains me to announce that a 44-year-old man has died due to Azerbaijan’s blockade of Artsakh. All people have the right to receive timely medical care; every minute counts in an emergency. A number of patients in critical condition can’t receive the lifesaving medical care,” Avanesyan tweeted.

The 44-year-old patient died in Artsakh on December 19. Doctors were unable to evacuate the patient to Armenia for treatment due to the Azerbaijani blockade.