Armenian parliament health committee chair steps down

Hripsime Hunanyan, an MP from Armenia’s ruling Civil Contract party, has resigned as chair of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Health Care.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Hunanyan said she had decided to step down in line with her belief that “the best leadership is leading by personal example”. She also announced that she would withdraw from Civil Contract’s proportional party list in the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Her resignation follows criticism over remarks she made at a recent parliament session, when she said that the state “does not only need soldiers, but also needs minds that will help develop different branches of government”.

Hunanian was elected chair of the health committee on 2 October 2025.

She graduated from a Yerevan medical college in 2003 and worked at several medical centers. During parliamentary debates on her appointment, she defended her background, saying that not everyone needs a university degree and emphasizing continuous learning, care and dedication in her professional life.