ALERT: "No Vaccination, No Medication" – Polyclinic Denies Free Medicines to Diabetics Without Vaccination Certificate

Ashtarak city's polyclinic staff have stopped providing free medications, purchased centrally by the state, to residents with disabilities or those regularly taking medicine. They stated that there is an order from the Aragatsotn Marz Governor's office to withhold medications until citizens are vaccinated. This alert was received by Auroranews.am on December 24 from two residents of Ashtarak.

"I was literally told, 'The seal is in the chief's office, you cannot receive medication until you are vaccinated,'" said one of the alerting residents, adding that they were forced to get vaccinated to obtain free medications for diabetes. He also noted that he did not undergo any checks when getting vaccinated during his visit.

We contacted another affected citizen who stated that they have not received their medications but do not plan to get vaccinated.

The Ministry of Health stated that no such order has been issued by the ministry, and for information regarding regional polyclinics, one should contact the regional governor's offices.

Auroranews.am got in touch with Meri Shahazizyan, head of the Health Department of the Aragatsotn Governor's office. When asked whether there is any instruction or order prohibiting the allocation of free medications to residents, she indicated that they only encourage vaccination. The head of the Health Department was clearly dodging the question and avoiding giving a straight answer. We clarified the question once more, asking if there is an order not to allocate medications to individuals with disabilities who refuse to get vaccinated; she stated that there is no such order.

The information department of the Governor's office later contacted us and insisted that there is no such instruction or order.

We also reached out to Karine Minasian, head of the Ashtarak polyclinic. She confirmed that they have instructions from the governor's office and will not provide medications unless the patient presents a vaccination certificate. "Everyone is sensibly getting vaccinated, but those with actual problems are not getting vaccinated, yet they receive their medications. We can only fight the virus through vaccination."

Regardless of the contradictory views on vaccination among the populace, experts maintain that vaccination remains the only means to combat this virus. However, it is unacceptable and illegal to deny medications to patients with disabilities or those on regular medication who are legally entitled to them, jeopardizing their health while justifying such steps as part of fighting for the patients' well-being.

This situation seems to be part of the pandemic response policy, and Auroranews.am will ensure that the responsibility is not shifted onto healthcare workers following orders, in this case, the head of the polyclinic or other subordinate healthcare workers, who have adhered to directives from the governor's office while in conversations with us and clearly informed residents about this, while at the same time, the governor's office employee was evading direct answers and denying the matter.