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HEALTHCARE MINISTRY CANNOT CONTROL 40,000 PREGNANT WOMEN IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION
http://www.epress.am/en/2014/02/28/healthcare-ministry-cannot-control-40000-pregnant-women-in-the-fight-against-corruption.html
02.28.2014 20:36 epress.am
The healthcare minister's decision to charge women who experience
complications during pregnancy for treatment was temporarily withdrawn
due to the lack of clear mechanisms, said RA Deputy Minister of
Healthcare Vahan Poghosyan today at a meeting with journalists and
civil society activists.
The decision, according to which expectant mothers would have to pay
5,000 AMD (about $12.10 USD) per one day of treatment, has been put
on hold until June 1.
Civil society organizations and activists yesterday declared their
intention to protest the decision, after which (today) it was announced
the decision was cancelled. NGO representatives, nevertheless, went
to the ministry, seeking clarifications.
At the meeting, Poghosyan didn't provide a clear answer when asked
if after the issue of mechanisms were resolved whether the fee would
appear on the agenda again. The deputy healthcare minister explained
that the decision aimed to eliminate the "under the table" payments,
to avoid pregnant women paying medical staff additional fees. Instead,
the payments are formalized and go toward the medical establishment's
budget.
"We cannot control 40,000 pregnant women," said Poghosyan.
Journalists remarked that the ministry's function is not to control
pregnant women but to eliminate corruption in medical establishments.
Poghosyan, however, didn't respond to this comment. He urged those
present not to worry because the payments refer only to pregnant
women who experience complications, which, according to him, comprise
a small percentage of all women.
Women's Resource Center of Armenia Executive Director Lara Aharonian
stressed that only after the decision was made did it become clear
that the pilot program has long been in effect in the two polyclinics
and pregnant women were required to pay this amount. According to
Aharonian, now it's hard to find out how many women have already paid
for such services.
The healthcare ministry's Chief of Staff Suren Krmoyan said that
pregnant women were informed that this was a pilot program and
if they didn't agree to it, they could've been treated at another
medical center.
One of the journalists asked whether such a decision wouldn't impact
Armenia's already low birthrate, to which Krmoyan said it will no
longer, since the decision has been overturned.
From: A. Papazian
http://www.epress.am/en/2014/02/28/healthcare-ministry-cannot-control-40000-pregnant-women-in-the-fight-against-corruption.html
02.28.2014 20:36 epress.am
The healthcare minister's decision to charge women who experience
complications during pregnancy for treatment was temporarily withdrawn
due to the lack of clear mechanisms, said RA Deputy Minister of
Healthcare Vahan Poghosyan today at a meeting with journalists and
civil society activists.
The decision, according to which expectant mothers would have to pay
5,000 AMD (about $12.10 USD) per one day of treatment, has been put
on hold until June 1.
Civil society organizations and activists yesterday declared their
intention to protest the decision, after which (today) it was announced
the decision was cancelled. NGO representatives, nevertheless, went
to the ministry, seeking clarifications.
At the meeting, Poghosyan didn't provide a clear answer when asked
if after the issue of mechanisms were resolved whether the fee would
appear on the agenda again. The deputy healthcare minister explained
that the decision aimed to eliminate the "under the table" payments,
to avoid pregnant women paying medical staff additional fees. Instead,
the payments are formalized and go toward the medical establishment's
budget.
"We cannot control 40,000 pregnant women," said Poghosyan.
Journalists remarked that the ministry's function is not to control
pregnant women but to eliminate corruption in medical establishments.
Poghosyan, however, didn't respond to this comment. He urged those
present not to worry because the payments refer only to pregnant
women who experience complications, which, according to him, comprise
a small percentage of all women.
Women's Resource Center of Armenia Executive Director Lara Aharonian
stressed that only after the decision was made did it become clear
that the pilot program has long been in effect in the two polyclinics
and pregnant women were required to pay this amount. According to
Aharonian, now it's hard to find out how many women have already paid
for such services.
The healthcare ministry's Chief of Staff Suren Krmoyan said that
pregnant women were informed that this was a pilot program and
if they didn't agree to it, they could've been treated at another
medical center.
One of the journalists asked whether such a decision wouldn't impact
Armenia's already low birthrate, to which Krmoyan said it will no
longer, since the decision has been overturned.
From: A. Papazian