2024-02-29 19:24:19
Minister of Health Anahit Avanesyan delivered a speech at the 75th World Health Assembly.
The minister referred to the process of vaccinations for the pandemic of COVID-19, the demand for psychological and psychiatric services, the program for the introduction of comprehensive health insurance in Armenia and the activities of the Rapid Response Medical Team, the psychosocial and health issues of the 44-day war unleashed by Azerbaijan against the people of Artsakh.
“It is a great honor to participate in the 75th World Health Assembly and it is necessary to appreciate the fact that after a long pause caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we have the opportunity to be physically present here in Geneva.
I am pleased to note that the pandemic has receded to some extent, allowing Armenia to reopen and re-profile hospitals to serve a larger portion of the population.
While we may be witnessing a general shortage of vaccines worldwide, the number of children vaccinated has suffered significantly due to interruptions in the vaccination process during the COVID-19 pandemic.
I am happy to note that we have made progress in this regard, as the number of vaccinations of children in Armenia has improved significantly compared to 2020-2021, the full coverage of all age groups is above 90%.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all partner countries and organizations for their invaluable support in the fight against COVID-19 over the past 2 years, and the supply of essential and life-saving vaccines. As a result of the pandemic, a significant increase in demand for psychological and psychiatric services has been registered in Armenia.
Our government provides free psychological counseling to citizens, health workers and vulnerable groups in covid hospitals.
On March 22nd, we created a “Mental Health” coalition with the participation of more than 40 representatives of government departments, civil society organizations and associations.
I am honored to be a part of the Pan-European Mental Health Coalition and I am confident that it will enable us to ensure the mental well-being of our citizens at all times.
The 44-day war unleashed by Azerbaijan against the people of Nagorno-Karabakh has also contributed to increased demand for psychosocial support, alongside other health-related challenges.
One of the contributing factors is Azerbaijan’s continued refusal to repatriate prisoners of war, in violation of international humanitarian law. Moreover, assistance to servicemen disabled during the war requires special attention, especially for the purchase of prostheses.
The inability of international organizations, including the WHO, to enter Nagorno-Karabakh due to Azerbaijan’s political stance exacerbates the situation, leaving the people of Nagorno-Karabakh deprived of humanitarian and medical aid.
Dear colleagues, it has been a long time since we have been preparing to present the Comprehensive Health Insurance Implementation Program in Armenia, but due to the pandemic, our dates have been changed. Now we are in the process of developing a policy in line with the introduction of the insurance scheme, which will be available next year, at the same time extensive work is being done to strengthen the primary health care link.
Realizing the importance of creating quality medical capacity to respond to emergency situations at the national, regional and international levels, the RA government has approved the initiative to create a National Rapid Response Medical Team classified by the WHO.
I am also happy to announce that in October, the 5th global meeting of Rapid Response Medical Teams will take place in Armenia, bringing together the communities of different groups of Rapid Response Medical Teams from all six regions of the World Health Organization,” said the RA Minister of Health.