The Hospital in Vardenis is Crumbling, While Next Door a Second Hospital is Being Built: Taghuhy Tovmasyan

In a bureaucratic turmoil, Vardenis community and its 36 small and medium villages are deprived of their right to medical treatment, as in extreme situations, they have to go to Martuni Hospital, and in many cases, even travel to Yerevan. Meanwhile, the construction of a second hospital has started in Martuni city, costing nearly five million dollars. This was stated today by MP Taghuhy Tovmasyan from the 'My Step' bloc during a question-and-answer session with the government in the National Assembly.

"I wanted to understand the government's position on why, while the hospital in Vardenis is collapsing, a second hospital is being built in the neighboring city," she said, emphasizing that this does not align with equitable regional development. She noted that Vardenis is the only gateway connecting to Artsakh, and many citizens from Artsakh used the Vardenis hospital, so its strategic importance should not be overlooked.

"Currently, the community is fundraising to renovate the hospital that is in dire condition, to equip it with medical technology, while doctors are simply leaving," she added.

In response, Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Suren Papikyan stated that the Ministry of Health independently manages where hospitals are constructed and where infrastructure improvements are made. "One thing is clear: the construction of a new hospital indicates that Vardenis city is not being overlooked; on the contrary, new infrastructures are being created, and new opportunities will arise there. We will work to manage that transitional phase and create better conditions for Vardenis residents," he said.

The minister mentioned that territorial development is crucial and is under the purview of their ministry, with each agency having its own development directions and vision. The integration happening in the healthcare sector might lead to numerous complaints. "However, the Ministry of Health is able to clearly articulate why this enhancement is necessary in these particular directions since half of the region's population resides in Martuni region," he added.