INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE DISCUSSES ARMENIAN NEW PRIMARY HEALTH MODEL

Armenpress

YEREVAN, MAY 17, ARMENPRESS: A three-day international conference
started today in Yerevan to discuss a new Armenian primary health
maintenance model that was introduced with the help of the USAID and
Armenian Social Reforms Program.

Health minister Norayr Davidian described the new model as
“established” with 81 operating family medicine out-patient clinics,
235 trained family doctors and another 150 set to be trained this
year. US ambassador to Armenia, John Evans, said his government will
continue to cooperate with Armenian health ministry to help it move
forward with health reforms.

He said the new model, which is a smaller system than the previously
operating one, is based largely on family doctors, which he said
gives a good opportunity to provide Armenians with a better and more
accessible medical services.

The model has been tested in Yerevan and 13 settlements in Lori
province.

Evans said the feedback indicates that the population is getting
increasingly satisfied with the quality and the range of provided
services.

The new model was developed by the health ministry in cooperation
with the USAID. Anna Grigorian from USAID said a new demographic and
health study will be conducted this year (the last was in 2000) to
have a clear idea of the current health system and to allow effective
decision-making.