On May 1, 2013, by RA Minister of Health Decree, the process of localization of birth certificates was launched and raised significant public debate. Opponents of the Decree were claiming that because of the Decree pregnant women from regions would have to pay for birth assistance services if they decided to give birth in the capital city of Yerevan, which would be violation of their rights. The proponents of the Decree were pointing out that it would create an opportunity for increased financing of the regional maternity hospitals thus helping to improve the quality of services provided to women and increase salaries of medical staff in the regions.
In response to this, UNFPA Armenia country office organized a bus trip to a number of regional maternity hospitals on July 16-17, to observe the situation in the field and allow for adequate media coverage. The visited maternity hospitals were in Artashat, Ararat, Vayk and Goris.
The trip was attended by journalists from Azg Daily, Aravot Daily, iLur.am, Women.net, panorama.am, Radio Liberty, Medialab, and Kentron TV. Tevan Poghosyan, RA MP, Gayane Avagyan, RA Ministry of Health, Garik Hayrapetyan, UNFPA Armenia Assistant Representative, and Vahe Gyulkhasyan, UNFPA Armenia Reproductive Health Project Coordinator also attended the trip.
As a result of the trip, Mr. Poghosyan made an inquiry to the head of Vayots Dzor marz on the absence of blood bank at Vayk maternity hospital. It turned out that there is a but incomplete blood bank in neighboring Yeghegnadzor, and the head of the region took steps to ensure 100 per cent complete blood bank at Yeghegnadzor, which will also be available for Vayk hospital.
Media Coverage
panorama.am, article 1 (in Armenian)
panorama.am, article 2 (in Armenian)
panorama.am, article 3 (in Armenian)
Azg Daily, article 1 (in Armenian)
Azg Daily, article 2 (in Armenian)
Azg Daily, article 3 (in Armenian)
Aravot Daily, article 1 (in Armenian)
blognews.am, article 1 (in Armenian)
Radio Liberty report (read and listen in Armenian)
