YEREVAN. – Armenian Minister of Health, Derenik Dumanyan, paid a working visit to Lori Region on Friday. First, he toured the Alaverdi city’s medical center, one of whose separate building was officially reopened in May.   

To note, during the official reopening President Serzh Sargsyan had instructed to renovate the hospital’s neighboring separate building as well, and construction work is underway there for already several months, the Health Ministry press service informs.

Separately, Derenik Dumanyan informed that the Ministry has launched serious reforms in the healthcare sector. “We already have started to improve numerous management, funding, and structural matters,” the minister said.

Also, he noted that the proportion of the state budget allocations to state-funded hospital medical treatment will change in favor of Armenia’s regions. In addition, the minimum salaries for medical staff will be specified next year. Furthermore, the treatment systems will be clarified, as a result of which free medication will be supplied to those patients who are suffering from certain diseases. “The Ministry will carry out considerable work for the introduction of mandatory health insurance, so we may introduce it in 2014,” Dumanyan said.          

The Minister informed that a 190-bed capacity modern hospital will be constructed in Vanadzor city next year, and the Region’s medical specialists will undergo training.  

Next, Armenia’s Health Minister visited the Spitak city’s medical center, which was built by the Norwegian Red Cross and following the 1988 earthquake, and which has not undergone a complete renovation to this day. They discussed future renovation matters.