17:00, 11 February 2013

Ayatyan: health condition of the hunger-striking Armenian presidential candidate Gukasyan is normal

Anahit Ayatyan, the press secretary of the Ministry of Public Health of Armenia, said that the blood tension of Andreas Gukasyan corresponds to the one of a person on hunger strike.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Gukasyan had demanded to cancel the registration of the incumbent president Serzh Sargsyan as a candidate for the upcoming election; and on January 21, he began a hunger strike, while sitting in front of the National Academy of Sciences.

"Gukasyan's condition can be assessed as normal; the blood tension is stable – 90/60," said the press-secretary.

His health condition is constantly monitored by doctors from the ambulance, which is on duty near the candidate day and night.

A doctor from the ambulance said, while preferring to remain anonymous, that Gukasyan's condition can rapidly deteriorate at any moment. "In case of a 'wet' hunger strike the human body can withstand 30-32 days, but in case of a 'dry' one, that is, without drinking water – for about 20 days," said the source.

See earlier reports: "In Armenia, health condition of hunger-striking presidential candidate Andreas Gukasyan worsens," "Candidate for presidency of Armenia Paruir Airikyan declared the start of his hunger strike," "CEC of Armenia dismissed Gukasyan’s motion to suspend Serzh Sargsyan’s participation in the election ."

Author: Inessa Sargsyan

Source: CK correspondent