HEALTH CARE TARGET PROGRAMS BEING REALIZED IN NKR
>From an interview with Azat Artsakh newspaper

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
June 7 2006

NKR Health Minister Zoya Lazaryan’s interview

In 2006 the Nagorno Karabakh Republic /NKR/ state budget has allocated
1 milliard 560 million drams for health care system, which is 350
million drams more as compared with last year.

According to the NKR Health Minister Zoya Lazaryan, 11 491
dram has been provided for an inhabitant versus 9 894 drams in
2005. The Minister remarked increasing financing was mainly aimed
at the ambulatory services. “The health care system’s strategy is
determined by the fact that most people employ ambulatory services”,
Zoya Lazaryan said. She informed in 2005 324 thousand patients had
employed ambulatory services, which surpassed the level of 2004 by
40 %, while only 13 thousand people had employed stationary services.

In the Minister’s words, since January 1, 2006 the system employees’
wages have been raised, making 51 thousand drams for doctors, 32
thousand and nearly 24 thousand for medium and junior medical staff
correspondingly.

The goals of 2006 are determined by the implementation of the target
programs. Five aim programs have been elaborated: first ambulatory
aid to population; ensuring hygienic epidemic security; protection
of mother and child health; struggle against illnesses of social
dependence. State order includes all the five target programs.

Medical aid provided to socially hard -up groups, as well as first
medical aid is rendered free of charge.

In line with the NKR government decision, the separate groups of
population may employ medical aid free of charge. Besides, both in
Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh ambulatory treatment is free of charge.

Any consultation held by a doctor is free of charge, if the district
doctor’s permit is available. In case a citizen applies to a doctor of
narrow specialization without a permit, he must pay according to rate.

In the ambulatory treatment system separate groups of population
are furnished with drugs free of charge. In 2006 the list has been
enlarged. If in 2005 free drugs for 300 drams were calculated for an
inhabitant, current year the amount has been increased to 400 drams.

Some modifications have been made in the issue as well – if only
children up to three years old could use free drugs, current year
drugs are available for the children up to seven years old free
of charge. Solitary unemployed retirees can also use fifty-percent
discount. Besides, the state purchases drugs and provides it to the
polyclinics for ambulatory patients. They are mainly delivered to those
suffering from sugar diabetes, epilepsy, bronchial asthma and cancer.

There is one more innovation. Children’s hospitals and polyclinics have
always served children up to 15, however, according to the new rules
they will serve children up to 18 years old. At children’s hospitals
special attention should be paid to medical service of boys under
the age of conscription.

The weakest link of the health care system is rural medial points.

First medical aid is not always available for a villager, as a result
of which he has to get to the capital city – Stepanakert. Doctors
are available at a few villages only, where ambulatory service is
properly implemented.

It is the first time the Republic state budget has allocated funds to
improve rural population’s medical service. Twice a year a group of
doctors will necessarily leave for regions to examine the population.

Schedules will be made for each populated locality, so the inhabitants
will be informed of the doctors’ visit beforehand.