The media and public relations department of the Artsakh National Assembly reports that on January 21, the Standing Committee on Social and Health Affairs of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia organized a discussion on the situation created as a result of the blockade.

Artur Tovmasyan, Chairman of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan, participated in the discussion.

Officials of the social, healthcare, and energy systems were invited. Presenting the situation in the field under his leadership, the newly appointed Minister of Social Development and Migration of Armenia, Armen Mangasaryan, provided information on the features of the voucher system, which has been in operation for 2 days, the process of pensions and other vital payments, the provision of food to the child care and protection center and Stepanakert boarding house, various social  regarding the necessary assistance provided by the classes.

Referring to the employment issue, the minister said that in the current situation, more than 700 employers are unable to provide work for their employees.  A list of measures to ease the existing social tension will be developed by January 25.

 Newly appointed minister Samvel Avetisyan presented the issues of health care.  According to him, there are currently 274 patients, of which 4 are in extremely serious condition.  One patient died becaus of the impossibility of transport during the blockade.  To date, 42 patients have been transferred to RA, the number has a tendency to increase.

During the siege, 158 children were born in Artsakh, the number of women in the Stepanakert mother and child center is 23, the vitamin balance of pregnant women is also provided with the help of peacekeepers, there is no problem with baby food so far, all medical facilities are provided with medicine.  There is a problem with diapers and feminine hygiene products.

 There is fuel for the ambulances, some will be gasified, in extreme cases they will use the vehicles of the International Committee of the Red Cross.  In the conditions of the energy crisis, the system is provided with the necessary amount of fuel and generators.

 Andranik Khachatryan, director of "Artsakhenergo" CJSC, and Artur Dadasyan, deputy director of "Artsakhgas" CJSC, also presented programs.

Andranik Khachatryan presented information about the cause and location of the accident, the available resources of the energy system, justified the decision to switch to a six-hour fan shutdown starting today.  He informed that in order not to disrupt the production cycle, 2 milk factories and bread baking points are provided with electricity 24 hours a day.

Artur Dadasyan touched upon the problems of gas supply. According to him, gas supply has been restored in the republic at the moment.
 
The deputies asked many questions to the speakers and made suggestions. They proposed to introduce the population needs assessment program a day before, which will address the implemented social support, they referred to the problem of increasing the efficiency of the voucher system, they proposed to establish a voucher for eggs and dairy products, and to carry out the distribution of baby food with the help of local medical workers.

 It was emphasized the necessity of raising the problems arising in the places with legislative-executive cooperation and their systematic solution.