In Regional Health Centers, Intrauterine Insemination Will Also Be Possible

The government has approved the draft amendments to the law on "Human Reproductive Health and Reproductive Rights" in Armenia. Anahit Avanesyan stated that they have received numerous requests from individuals who wish to have children but are deprived of the joy of parenthood due to unnecessary legal restrictions.

"As a result of these changes, we have differentiated the groups of services included in assisted technologies. From now on, regional healthcare centers will also have the opportunity to provide certain services. Previously, this was considered a comprehensive service with high demands on licensing, equipment, and specialists. However, within that group of services, there are specific directions where such complex requirements are not necessary. In addition, we have set a requirement for the establishment of a mandatory electronic unified system for all stakeholders, donors, surrogate mothers, and services. This will ensure that a single donor does not have the opportunity to make donations beyond the defined quantity across different healthcare centers," Avanesyan stated.

The acting minister also mentioned that they have introduced the possibility of embryo donation. "New technologies allow obtaining several embryos, and people have children after successfully achieving results the first one or two times. However, we maintain a register of embryos, which is unacceptable to waste if there are infertile couples who would like to accept these donations and have children. We have removed the restrictions for women who wish to have children, allowing them to also benefit from reproductive assisted technologies," she added, noting that even during the conditions of the coronavirus pandemic, when many medical services were postponed, 80 babies have already been born thanks to this program.