Several staff members of the National Center for Disease Control will appeal to the court

The laboratory staff of the Ararat branch of the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention has submitted their resignation letters. Ashkhen Ayvazyan, head of the laboratory, stated in an interview with NEWS.am Medicine today.

She noted that months ago, Health Minister Anahit Avanesyan announced that optimization efforts were underway and that positions would need to be reduced. Initially, it was proposed to cut 4 sampling technicians, then 14, and finally, a decision was made to dismiss all laboratory workers. In December, a notice was received from the ministry stating that all employees of the microbiological laboratory would be dismissed from work as of February 28. However, the laboratory will not be closed. Essentially, experienced and long-serving employees are being let go.

“I and another physician have been offered work in other branches. I have been offered to work in Gegharkunik province, but that is nonsensical; I live in Metsamor,” said Ashkhen Ayvazyan.

“Now these incompetent and oblivious managers are saying, ‘We have been given a green light; we can do whatever we want.’ No matter where you complain, they are our people,” she added, stating that all laboratory employees have entered the office of the director of the Ararat branch of the National Center for Disease Control and have refused to perform their duties from today onward. They have reported the incident to all relevant authorities and are now preparing to appeal to the court.

She also informed that laboratories in Aragatsotn and Kotayk provinces are facing the same issue. The National Center for Disease Control and Prevention clarified that their aim is not to reduce staff but rather to optimize general processes, aiming to regulate laboratory work and make operations more cost-effective.