CAN’T DENY IF HE HASN’T HEARD

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06:34 pm | April 07, 2009

Society

"We are healthy not only when there are no signs of illness, but when
we feel good socially, physically and psychologically," says RA Deputy
Health Minister Tatul Hakobyan.

The Deputy Health Minister did not wish to give an evaluation that
would arouse panic among citizens of Armenia when giving an evaluation
on the health of the Armenian population, but he did say the following:

"I can say that it is normal. When we take a look at the trends,
we see that there is some tension in society. When rating health
in terms of society, we must take into account the current economic
situation and the crisis."

According to the Deputy Health Minister, the RA Ministry of Healthcare
has not changed its priorities in a time of crisis.

"We are once again going to pay attention to the needy. Our priority
has always been and continues to be mothers and children."

According to him, the crisis forces us to cut back on spending and
that is why funding must be used appropriately.

"We are trying to cut back on spending and draw more attention to
effectiveness," underlined Tatul Hakobyan adding that the financial
crisis gives them the opportunity to see the flaws existing in
the system.

The deputy minister remarked that regardless of inflation of medicine,
the ministry will interfere in the regulation of prices so that
clinics will have access to the best medicine.

Tatul Hakobyan was surprised when one of the journalists asked whether
some hospitals have petitioned for mayor candidate Gagik Beglaryan.

"I would not like to comment on that. I am hearing that for the first
time and I can’t deny what I have not heard. We have always tried
to keep the health ministry away from any elections and we have been
successful," assured Hakobyan.

Let us remind that Health Minister, member of the "Prosperous Armenia"
party Harutyun Kushkyan is also running for mayor in the upcoming
elections for city council.