Georgian Health Minister hails medical response to ex-official Rizhvadze’s condition

Georgian Health Minister Mikheil Sarjveladze on Thursday praised local medical professionals for their “swift and effective” response to the recent health emergency involving Tornike Rizhvadze, the former head of the government of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara.

Speaking to reporters, Sarjveladze said that Georgian doctors "flawlessly and correctly" managed the critical initial stages of Rizhvadze’s condition, who suffers a gunshot in his chest, describing the performance of the country’s healthcare system as "commendable."

"Tornike Rizhvadze is showing positive dynamics," Sarjveladze noted. “At the request of his family, he was transferred to Turkey, from where we are receiving reliable updates. We hope for his rapid recovery.”

The minister noted that the decision to transfer Rizhvadze to Turkey was not due to shortcomings in Georgian healthcare, but rather a personal choice by his family. He stressed that all risks had been neutralised and that the patient's stable condition made the transfer medically viable.

"The operation in Sagarejo [of eastern Georgia] was performed perfectly, and afterwards he was moved to the First University Clinic [to Tbilisi], where the most difficult days were handled with exceptional care," Sarjveladze said. "Had there not been such positive progress, transportation abroad would not have been possible."

He also extended his gratitude to the medical teams involved both in Georgia and in Turkey.

 Rizhvadze was found at a residence in Sagarejo with a gunshot wound to the chest on July 7, initially unconscious 

He was rushed to Sagarejo Geohospital, where emergency surgery addressed a lodged bullet in his lung - the sole major organ injured.

Authorities quickly classified it as a suicide attempt. 

Aleksi Akhvlediani, head of the Maritime Transport Agency and a friend of Rizhvadze, was detained.

Prosecutors charged him under Article 238 for negligent storage of a firearm, asserting that Rizhvadze obtained the weapon while visiting Akhvlediani’s house.

Tbilisi City Court released Akhvlediani on GEL 30,000 bail (about USD 11,100) on 9 July.