VILEN HAKOBYAN: GOVERNMENT PAYS FOR TREATMENT OF ONLY 8% OF ARMENIAN POPULATION

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 20, 2010 – 14:58 AMT 09:58 GMT

In any developed country medical insurance is an inseparable part of
social life, said a member of the RA National Academy of Sciences.

"Presently, Armenia is not rich enough to issue medical insurance. In
fact, insurance can help the most vulnerable social strata. People
go to hospital only if there is no other way out, as the government
pays for treatment of only 8% of Armenian population," Vilen Hakobyan
said during a joint press conference with director of Surb Mariam
healthcare center Gagik Martirosyan.

Mr. Martirosyan said for his part that volunteer medical insurance
could be an option. "Nevertheless, only wealthy people practice it
in Armenia. Those having serious health problems are not granted
insurance," he noted.