NEW CONDITIONS: NEW PAYING SYSTEM

Residents must go to medical establishments with a birth certificate or a passport in order to make use of Primary Health Protection (PHP) program and have the right to choose a doctor, Vahan Poghosyan, medical assistance organization department head of the ministry of health of Armenia, told a news conference today.

“According to data of the first days of September, 60 percent of Yerevan residents have been registered with their chosen PHP doctor. The registration process is effectively running also in the region of Lory where 88 percent have been registered.” In his words, 61 and 49 percent of residents are registered in Armavir and Ararat marzes, respectively. In Gegharkunik, only 13 percent have been registered. According to V. Poghosyan, the registration is not compulsory, but... “those citizens who will not get registered with any medical establishment and in case they need emergency medical service, the director of the medical establishment will choose instead of them.”

Gaiane Gharagebakyan, head of health reform and residents’ registration team, reminded that citizens have the right to refuse the services of a doctor in the course of one year without a reason and may apply to another specialist. In her words, this system does not affect the free of charge out-patients’ clinic assistance which is effective today.
The state pays certain amount of money to the medical establishment for every resident. This year, V. Poghosyan assures, 5000 Armenian drams have been transferred. According to data of 2001, it was only 500 Armenian drams.