THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND CIVIL SOCIETY DISCUSS COOPERATION CONCERNING FREE OBSTETRIC SERVICES
armradio.am
25.11.2008 10:16
A forum organized by the Ministry of Health of Armenia and USAID
Mobilizing Action Against Corruption (MAAC) Activity took place
in the Congress Hotel in Yerevan on November 25, 2008. The forum
discussed public participation in and public support for the newly
introduced state-guaranteed free obstetric services and Obstetrical
State Certificate system.
RA Deputy Minister of Health Hayk Darbinyan and the USAID/Armenia
Social Reform Office Director Ann Hirschey delivered welcoming
speeches.
Government-NGO cooperation in the monitoring of the free obstetric
services process, the economic basis of the Obstetrical State
Certificate system, issues concerning the practical introduction
of the certificates and the role NGOs can play in the introduction
process were discussed.
Ministerial decree of 28 June 2008requires monitoring of the
introduction of the Obstetrical State Certificate System. According to
the decree, the monitoring commission includes state officials, local
NGO representatives, and personnel of obstetric care facilities. The
implementation of the monitoring process is aimed not only at the
effective introduction of the Obstetrical State Certificate System, but
also at decreasing corruption risks. Apart from this, the Ministry of
Health has introduced the opportunity for citizens to combat corruption
through a 24-hour20hotline service, which allows ministry officials
to provide immediate and effective responses to the citizens’ concerns.
This forum is the second in the series of anti-corruption forums
organized by the USAID MAAC Activity. The first forum took place on
2 July 2008 and addressed Armenia’s international anti-corruption
obligations.