YEREVAN. - Number of births grows in Armenia, said Minister of Health Harutyun Kushkyan.

The number of children younger than 12 months old increased from 7500 in 2008 to 45,000 in 2011. According to Kushkyan, new medical centers opened recently in Armenian cities Aparan, Gavar and Gyumri contributed to the growth in the child birth.

The state budget allocated AMD 58.2 billion to the ministry of Health in 2010. AMD 21.4 billion of that amount was spend on the hospitals. The state compensated treatment of 245,000 patients. AMD 9.8 billion was allocated on child birth. AMD 3.4 billion was spend on stationary treatment. State also paid for 63 heart surgeries.