Health Financing in Armenia: Current State and Future Plans
On February 24, 2012, the College of Health Sciences (CHS) organized a panel discussion on Health Financing in Armenia: Current State and Future Plans.
Dr. Varduhi Petrosyan, the Associate Dean of CHS, greeted the participants and introduced the distinguished panelists: Ara Ter-Grigoryan, the Head of the State Health Agency, RA Ministry of Health; Artak Kyurumyan, Financial Expert of the Working Group on Alternative Financing for Healthcare supported by World Vision Armenia and AUA Alumnus; and Dr. Ara Babloyan, the Chair of the Standing Committee on Health Care, Maternity and Childhood, RA National Assembly. Dr. Ara Ter-Grigoryan presented information about the current trends in financing of the healthcare system and results of new programs, including the Obstetric Care State Certificate and the Child Care State Certificate. Artak Kyurumyan presented the international experience regarding alternative sources of financing that could be used for the healthcare system and implications for Armenia. Dr. Ara Babloyan concluded the presentations discussing the details of the newly introduced Social Package for government employees that includes coverage of health services. Presentations were followed by an interesting and lively question/answer session.
In conclusion of the event Dr. Petrosyan mentioned “This was the first panel discussion devoted to health financing in Armenia. We plan to have a series of similar discussions. We will invite representatives of the RA Government, Ministry of Finance, and Central Bank to continue exchange of thoughts and scholarly ideas with policy and decision makers.”
Health professionals, representatives of local and international nongovernmental and governmental organizations and AUA students, researchers, and faculty attended the panel discussion.
 Varduhi Petrosyan, Ara Ter-Grigoryan, Ara Babloyan, Artak Kyurumyan, |  Ara Ter-Grigoryan, Ara Babloyan, Artak Kyurumyan |
 Audience |  Mher Beglaryan, MPH 1st Year Student Asking Questions |