The Ministry of Health to Reduce Financial Allocations for Pediatrics, Discontent is Growing

While the government, led by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, is taking steps to increase birth rates in Armenia, the Ministry of Health has decided to reduce financial allocations to the pediatric field.

For instance, in 2018, the state provided 184,100 drams for bronchitis and pneumonia in children of breast height, while in 2019, this amount dropped to 144,000 drams, a decrease of 21.5 percent.

For inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract, the government previously compensated 112,500 drams, but for the current year, this has fallen to 98,000 drams, a 12.5 percent reduction. The compensation for bronchitis and pneumonia has decreased from 127,900 drams to 112,000 drams, again a 12.5 percent drop. This situation has sparked significant discontent among pediatricians.

The newspaper 'Jhoghovurd' has learned that pediatricians are preparing to take serious measures, as such a policy could have disastrous implications in an already problematic field. After all, pediatrics is currently one of the dominant issues within Armenia's healthcare system, yet it is precisely this sector that is being hit the hardest.

Pediatricians view the Ministry of Health's approach as misguided, raising serious concerns about potential corruption issues. Regarding this matter, 'Jhoghovurd' interviewed former National Assembly Speaker and pediatrician Ara Babloyan, who stated, 'There has been a price reduction, and we have expressed our views on this, and Health Minister Arsen Torosyan is ready to discuss these issues.'

The Ministry of Health has not commented on the reasons for the decision, opting for silence. The ministry's press spokesperson, A. Nikoghosyan, requested that questions be submitted in writing.

For more details, refer to today's issue of the newspaper.