Nearly 100 Children with Diabetes Stripped of Disability Status, Bribery Case Reported

ArmDaily.am has received alarming reports from parents of children with diabetes that some of these children have been deprived of all social and educational benefits. In a conversation with us, Karin Mikhtaryan, director of the "K'atil" charity foundation, noted that there are about 630 children with diabetes in Armenia and their foundation has been addressing the issues of these children for nearly nine years.

According to a decision by the Government of Armenia dated June 13, 2003, children were granted "child disability" status initially until they turned 18. However, this was later changed to a two-year term, meaning that after two years, families had to reapply to obtain the "child disability" status again. This status provided benefits not only in terms of free healthcare services but also social and educational advantages. For instance, a child with diabetes entering higher education had significant advantages while holding the "child disability" status.

When asked if any decisions have changed regarding this status, Mikhtaryan replied, "No, no decision has changed; the legislative framework remains the same. However, we have information that they are implementing some pilot program aimed at stripping children with diabetes of their disability status, primarily for children aged 13 and older. According to what we have been informed by the commissions, they are trying to adopt an approach where diabetes is viewed not as an illness but as a lifestyle. However, it must be taken into account that society is not ready, and these children and their parents need support, as more than 85 percent of these children come from socially vulnerable families, impacting the social assistance payments these families receive, since vulnerability scores change depending on this status. What we need is not labeling children as disabled but the benefits that come from that status."

Mikhtaryan said that in the past year, nearly 100 children have been deprived of their status, amounting to about 90 percent of applicants. "The same commission may grant one child that status while denying another of the same age and condition, as there is no justification or law that they reference in making their decisions. Mainly, most of those deprived have been children aged 13 and older, but there are also some younger children, as well as cases of those over 13 who have still been granted the status."

The foundation's director mentioned a case in the Yerevan commission where a status was granted in exchange for a bribe. "Initially, they were denied. The parent offered a bribe of 60,000 dram, which was accepted and the status was granted. The parent does not want to speak out publicly, stating they have no guarantee that after speaking out, they will not lose that status."