IN THE VISIBLE FUTURE AFFORDABLE AND QUALITY HEALTHCARE WILL BE AVAILABLE

According to the agreement signed in 2004 between the RA Government and the World Bank, within four years $7,100,000 will be allotted to the Republic’s Family Doctor Program. As stated in the Ministry of Health website, the development of the Family Doctor Program is a key component in the modernization of the healthcare system. The Ministry’s goal is to train doctors and nurses working in primary healthcare as family doctors and nurses within 4 to 6 years, to provide affordable and quality public healthcare in Armenia.

Currently around 320 family doctors and 440 nurses work in family healthcare offices, municipal and rural outpatient clinics. Within the program, 930 doctors and as many nurses will be retrained during the 2005-2009 period, through 12- and 6-month educational courses respectively. As per data of early September, about 60 percent of Yerevan’s population is already registered with the PHC doctors of their choice, with 88 percent registered in Lori Marz, 13 percent in Gegharkunik Marz, and 61 and 49 percent in Armavir and Ararat Marzes correspondingly. Since April 1 of this year, the population is in the process of selection of and registration with their PHC doctors. In addition, with the aid of World Bank’s loan reserves, family healthcare departments have opened in the Yerevan State Medical Institute, National Institute for Healthcare and Basic Medical College.