Emergency Calls to Be Filtered, Some Redirected to Polyclinics

The emergency service will be reformed, with calls being filtered, and some will be redirected to the primary care level. This was stated today by the Minister of Health, Anahit Avanesyan, during a question-and-answer session with the government in the National Assembly.

“The reform program is moving forward at a rapid pace. We have already started a pilot program for both the form and content changes of the emergency service. The mechanisms for registering emergency calls and responding to them are being changed, and central dispatch stations will be established,” the minister said.

According to her, in cases where emergency assistance is requested but is not warranted, the calls will be redirected to primary care physicians, ensuring that these physicians provide medical assistance within their scope of responsibilities and alleviate the burden of emergency calls.

“We are also considering providing certain capabilities for vehicles in the primary care sector; the program is being discussed and will also be presented for expert review,” the minister noted.

Under the new program being developed, primary care physicians will also be able to respond to calls in instances where they do not require emergency services. The minister believes that this way, it will be possible to lighten the workload of the system and allow for the real emergency cases to be addressed more effectively.