Media Review for December 18

The implementation of joint Iranian-Azerbaijani energy projects on the Araz River, the likelihood of a delay in the pardon decree on New Year's Eve, and the high cost of medicines on the market are topics of today's media.

The Azerbaijan newspaper writes about the meeting of the Technical Commission held in Nakhchivan on December 14-16 on the implementation of the joint Iranian-Azerbaijani projects Khudaferin-Gyz Galasy, Ordubad-Marazad on the Araz River.

The meeting discussed the tasks set for the parties in the framework of the Agreement on the construction and operation of the Ordubad and Marazad hydroelectric power plants (HPPs), the continuation of the construction, operation of the hydroelectric complex and the Khudaferin and Gyz Galasy HPPs.

The topic of discussion was the work done by Iran at the Khudafarin dam, clarification of the damage caused to the flooded Azerbaijani territories, and other issues. An inspection of the Ordubad hydroelectric power station under construction was carried out. A detailed exchange of views took place on the construction of the Marazad hydroelectric power station.

The Yenisabah.az website writes about the possibility of introducing a ban on leaving home for a period of one week, that is, tightening the quarantine regime in connection with the coronavirus pandemic. The reason is the increase in the number of infected people up to 4 thousand daily and deaths - up to about 40.

The article claims that the regime will be tightened, and people will not leave their homes for 4 days, as in April-May. According to experts, the results of tightening will be visible after two weeks.

The website Modern.az writes that the New Year's decree on clemency may be delayed, first of all, because of the pandemic. It is quite possible that the decree will be issued for Novruz.

The latest pardon decree was issued for Novruz 2019.

The pardon commission has collected many petitions, which takes a lot of time. In the current conditions of the pandemic, it is difficult for the 18 members of the commission to get together. The meetings of the commission are planned to be held online.

The Medicina.az website writes about ownerlessness in the drug market. Recently, the most common topic is the cost of treatment for coronavirus. All hospitals are overcrowded and not everyone has a chance to get there and be treated at the expense of the state. The ambulance arrives a few days after the call. In asymptomatic patients, even tests are not taken, and testing in private clinics costs 100 manats and more.

For 40 manats, tests are offered in several clinics and only to those who have airline tickets. The author went through several pharmacies with prescriptions.  The total cost of a prescription in one pharmacy was 83 manats, and in another - 87 manats.

The price of the intravenous system, which used to be 3-5 manats, has risen to 50 manats. With active treatment, up to 10 systems are required. In this situation, only the rich will survive ...