Armenia's healthcare budget increased to 220 billion drams in 2026
YEREVAN, January 6. /ARKA/. Armenia's healthcare budget has been increased to 220 billion drams in 2026 from 164 billion drams in 2025, the RA government press service reported following Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's visit to the Ministry of Health.
"This means we are investing over $100 million to streamline the sector," the prime minister emphasized after hearing Health Minister Anahit Avanesyan's report on the ministry's activities in 2025.
Anahit Avanesyan reported that the process of introducing the Universal Health Insurance System was launched at the end of the year.
In the first stage, the system will include children under 18 years of age, citizens aged 65+, citizens with disability groups 1 to 3, people with functional limitations, socially vulnerable groups and people included in the social support system, including families of deceased servicemen, as well as those receiving a salary of 200,001 drams and more. It was noted that 771 citizens used the insurance system in the first days of the year. What was planned for 2025 was fully implemented. The system is fully implemented, the by-laws have been developed and approved, and the registers of services, medicines, and persons with status have also been approved.
Prime Minister Pashinyan emphasized the importance of non-cash payment for paid services and noted that in general, it is an important part of the health insurance system that no beneficiary receives any health service that the state is not aware of and does not see the payment for it. “Because otherwise the entire system will be deformed, that is, the system must recognize the patient and know the traceability of his treatment, this is a very important and fundamental condition. One of our important tasks is to ensure transparency, for this it is important that we see the actions that take place with the relevant profile,” said the Prime Minister, adding that this is data that we can then analyze and make certain adjustments to the programs. “Our problems arise when something happens that we do not see. If we see it, it becomes a material for us to work and make decisions to optimize the resulting policies. The cash payment system in healthcare institutions should be excluded, special attention should be paid to this, strict measures should be taken and regulations should be established, up to and including imposing sanctions on healthcare institutions," Nikol Pashinyan said.
It was emphasized that the healthcare budget in 2026 increased from 164 billion drams in 2025 to 220 billion drams. "That is, we are investing more than $100 million to regulate the sector," the Prime Minister emphasized.
Next, the work carried out in the healthcare sector towards digitalization was addressed. It was reported that the birth registration is carried out in the maternity hospital in a completely digital way, the immunization process is carried out completely digitally, and digitalized drug provision is also being implemented. A digital work incapacity certificate is also in operation, and the digitalization of laboratory tests is in progress.
During the reporting period, the management powers of 42 regional healthcare organizations were vested in the Ministry of Health. Within 3 years, regional healthcare organizations will be reorganized into one regional medical center through merger.
Outpatient and inpatient psychiatric services have been modernized. During the reporting period, construction, renovation and equipping of medical organizations with necessary medical equipment were carried out. In particular, the Sisian Medical Center is being built, the buildings of the "National Center for Mental Health" CJSC, the buildings of the "National Center for Infectious Diseases" CJSC, the branch of the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Armavir region are being reconstructed and equipped, the Tsaghkahovt Health Center in Aragatsotn region, the Echmiadzin Medical Center in Armavir region, the Masis Medical Center in Ararat region, the Ashtarak Medical Center in Aragatsotn region, the Nairi Medical Center in Yeghvard community in Kotayk region, the new building of Tashir Medical Center in Lori region are being built.
The process of individual licensing of doctors has been launched, as well as the issuance of 5-year licenses to medical organizations.
Organ and tissue transplants continued last year: as of December 15, 15 kidney and 55 bone marrow surgeries had been performed.
Emphasizing the early detection of diseases, screening programs have been expanded. For the purpose of early detection of colorectal cancer, 4287 examinations were conducted during the reporting period among the population aged 50-75. Within the framework of the program launched in 2025, 2870 examinations have already been conducted among the population aged 45-70. As a result, cancer was detected in 6 people. Within the framework of the screening program for early detection of breast cancer, 7779 free mammographic screening examinations were conducted among women aged 45-68.
Maintaining maternal and child health is a priority in the healthcare system, therefore, 7 newborn screenings continued, which are aimed at the earliest possible diagnosis of congenital, hereditary diseases and timely treatment of the disease or correction of the pathological condition.
Since 2025, the implementation of adrenogenital screening among newborns has increased to 28565 examinations. At the end of the year, newborn eye screening was also launched.
In 2025, 95 drugs for 16 diseases were purchased from the state budget, which is available to 238,964 beneficiaries.-0-
