Health in Armenia

At the time of independence in 1991 no traces of pre-Soviet healthcare traditions were discernible. The soviet healthcare system was highly centralized. The entire population was guaranteed free medical assistance, regardless of social status, and had access to a comprehensive range of secondary and tertiary care. After independence Armenia was not in a position to continue to fund it. Following the reform program all the hospitals and polyclinics, rural health units (including village health centers), and health posts from the previous system continue to function. Hospitals which were formerly accountable to the local administration and ultimately to the Ministry of Health are now autonomous and increasingly responsible for their own budgets and management.[4]

A Basic Benefits Package was established in 1999. This provided provides free specific health-care services, including medicines, to vulnerable segments of the population, including children, the elderly and disabled, impoverished people and injured military personnel. Since 2006, primary health care services have been free of charge.

In 2009 more than 50% of the national health budget was spent on hospitals. At the local community level the system was weak and in rural areas often non-existent.[5]

Vast improvements of health services in Armenia occurred in the twenty-first century, principally easier accessibility to health-care services and an Open Enrollment program which allows Armenians to freely choose their healthcare service provider.[6]

Health expenditures, as percentage of government spending were 4th lowest for the same group in 2008–2014, but beat peers in South Caucasus.[7] Health expenditures in per capita terms (at PPP at constant 2005 USD) were nearly permanently 5th lowest in the above group in years 1999–2014.[8] Out-of-pocket health expenditure were 4th highest in the same group in years 2003–2006 and 2010–2014.[9] In 2014 4.3% of health expenditures came from sources outside of Armenia.[10]

In 2015 current health expenditures as percentage of GDP reached 10.1% while 81.6% of all health spendings were paid out-of-pocket, both values record high since data became available in year 2000.[11]

In 2019, the government of Armenia has made healthcare free for all under the age of 18.

Since independence, Armenia's national health system faced criticism because of widespread corruption among doctors and other hospital workers. Because of reduced public funding after the economic collapse of the 1990s, many employees were forced to take bribes and take advantage of their position of power within their workplace in order to make a living. This problem still persists as of today and is one of the main concerns of elected officials.[12]

According to the survey[20] conducted in 2015-16, 9% of children in Armenia are stunted and of those, 4% are severely stunted, while in 2005-2010 18-19% of children were stunted. The survey also found that four percent of Armenian children are wasted (low weight for height) and two percent severely wasted. Survey also found was that Armenian children tend to be more overweight than stunted due to improper diets. Fourteen percent of children under five years of age are overweight.[21]

Undernourishment at 6.3% in 2014 of population remained nearly unchanged since 2007.[22]

Obesity rate is 19.5% in Armenia in 2017, which is lower than in all regional countries and nearly all European countries.[23][24]

Tobacco policy in Armenia is as of February 2018 still very permissive with almost no enforcement of any smoke-restricting laws.

• Armenia
• Education in Armenia
• World Health Organization
• Children of Armenia Fund
• World Food Programme