ADB ready to help Armenian government reform health sector

YEREVAN, April 11. /ARKA/. Armenia's healthcare sector is facing a number of challenges that affect the quality of healthcare and accessibility of services, Luke Fotchman, Deputy Director of the Asian Development Bank's Armenia Resident Mission, told a press conference today.

"A modern electronic information system as part of an e-health strategy can improve the quality of health care," he said presenting ADB's April Asian Development Outlook 2024 report.

Fochtman said also that continuous quality improvement and performance monitoring are essential for a well-functioning health system, and inadequate financing of the health sector limits equitable access to high-quality health services.

"The government has initiated a comprehensive health system reform that aims to address the various challenges in this area. ADB is not only facilitating but also welcoming these efforts," he said.

Fochtman, however, noted that a central part of these reforms is the introduction of universal health insurance, adding that by doing so, demand for health services will increase and they will become more affordable.

"As a result, the reform will provide better quality medical services to the Armenian population and ensure wider coverage," he said, emphasizing that ADB is committed to working with the Armenian government on this important initiative.

During the next few years joining the health insurance system will be voluntary, and from 2025 pensioners will be involved in it. From 2027, the system will become mandatory for all citizens.

According to preliminary estimates of the Ministry of Health, the cost of medical insurance may amount to 150-200 thousand drams per year, but this figure is subject to adjustment. -0-