Number of People with Disabilities Due to War: Detailed Statistics by Category

“A group of 15 doctors at the 49 territorial centers of the Unified Social Service conducts medical-social examinations almost every day,” said Rima Eganian, head of the medical-social examination and support measures provision department of the Unified Social Service, during a meeting with journalists.

According to her, statistics from the last five years show that there are 50,000 to 53,000 examinations each year, with 12,000 to 15,000 being first-time examinees.

“In 2021, approximately 2,000 individuals who sustained injuries and wounds as a result of the 44-day war underwent examination, resulting in approximately 1,500 individuals being categorized as having disabilities of various groups. Of these, 112 individuals were assigned first-group disability for a two-year term, while 396 received second-group disability for one year. Additionally, 980 individuals were classified with third-group disability. 102 people were given indefinite disability status due to the absence of prospects for recovery,” Eganian detailed.

As of February 1, 2022, a secondary examination process has been carried out. “A total of 440 individuals who received injuries and wounds due to the 44-day war have undergone medical-social examination. The number may change by the end of the day, as examinations take place daily in 15 regions. Among the 440 individuals, 183 were assigned third-group disability, and 60 received second-group disability. In other cases, individuals were either downgraded from the second to the third group of disability or no disability was assigned. The total number of individuals without assigned disabilities is 120, amounting to 27.1%. There are also 80 individuals whose disability period has expired, but they have not yet applied for a medical-social examination, though they may do so again within the year,” Eganian noted.

Addressing the complaints from the relatives of those who participated in the war, for example, losing a hand or a leg but having their group reviewed, Eganian explained that the deadlines are clearly stated in the government decision that establishes the criteria for assigning disabilities. Accordingly, for first-group disability, the term is set for 2 years, while for second and third groups, it is for 1 year, and for disabled children, it can be 2 years or up to 18 years old. There are cases where disabilities are assigned indefinitely.

Most of the war participants have been assigned second-group disability so they can benefit from rehabilitative medical assistance and prosthesis within the year, aiming to reach a situation that corresponds to their fundamental disability group.

“For instance, amputations of the lower extremities up to the mid-thigh level, which is the level possible for prosthetics, are classified as moderate disturbances of locomotor function according to the criteria, which indicates the ability to move with assistive devices but entails difficulty in movement,” Eganian stated.

She also mentioned that due to the COVID-19 pandemic in recent years, many citizens who had mild chronic diseases now face severe complications. The incidence of new diseases has also increased. The number of injuries has also risen due to both the war and accidents.

The head of the medical-social examination and support measures provision department of the Unified Social Service added that the medical-social examination process in Armenia is carried out by this department. The department has two functions: to conduct medical-social examinations and to organize the provision of state certificates for support measures. Medical-social examinations are conducted for specific purposes as defined by legal acts, to determine limitations in an individual’s vital activities, to recognize disability, and not to assign disabilities. The duration, causal relationship, and degree of loss of work capability are also determined. A person with a disability is defined as someone who faces limitations in participating in public life due to long-term problems in mental, physical, intellectual, or sensory functions, including self-mobility, learning, working, self-care, and communication.