Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “I am deeply shocked by the tragedy that occurred in Yelsk. A 14-year-old girl who sought medical help never returned home. The hospital lacked the necessary specialists; they were called in from other cities but tragically, her life could not be saved.
This horrifying story highlights the systemic issues in Belarus’ healthcare system. Patients increasingly face a shortage of specialists, medications, and equipment — and when the irreversible happens, there is no accountability. It is especially heartbreaking when the victims are children. Instead of care and support, the girl’s family is now facing pressure, invasion of privacy, and attempts to tarnish the memory of their daughter.
Cases like this are a cry for urgent reform in the country’s medical system: greater attention to doctors, increased investment in modernization, and more care for people. But the regime finds it easier to silence the problems or shift blame onto defenceless citizens — rather than seek real solutions.
We must do everything we can to prevent such tragedies from repeating. We need to file complaints, express condolences, refuse to let this case disappear into silence, demand a thorough investigation into its causes, and, where possible, offer legal or humanitarian support. Above all — we must not remain silent.
I offer my deepest condolences to the young girl’s family”.
