E-health system issues discussed with the participation of specialists and NGOs

The e-health system is an integrated system for managing health data, where comprehensive public health data is entered and stored. The system enables the attending doctor, whenever necessary, to electronically view the patient’s health history and to make informed decisions regarding their treatment.

Starting from 2017, all medical services provided with government financing or on concessional terms have been channeled through the e-health system. Since 1 March 2024, the e-health system has been used for the provision of prescribed medication.

The prescribed medication provision process, however, has encountered a number of practical risks and problems, especially for the vulnerable groups of the population. These concerns relate to the accessibility of the electronic system and the risks and dangers of procuring medication by alternative means.

At the initiative of the Democracy Development Foundation (DDF), a discussion on the e-health system was held in the DDF’s offices on 23 April, which was attended by representatives of the National Institutes of Health and non-governmental organization, as well as health sector specialists.

Tsaghkanush Sargsyan, the head of the E-Health Implementation Division in the National Institutes of Health, presented Armenia’s digital health system development journey, the elements currently used and planned, and the e-health system reforms. She valued this format of the discussion, which for the first time enabled NGOs advocating for the rights of the vulnerable groups to raise the current problems related to the implementation of the system.

Tsaghkanush Sargsyan highlighted the importance of extensively using the ARMED integrated health system, including the ARMED mobile app, for the public at large, as the primary communication platform between patients, health care practitioners, and the health system.

The discussion focused also on the facilitation of access to the e-health system for vulnerable groups, as well as actions for addressing their needs.

The NGO representatives and health system officials agreed to follow up through smaller working groups focusing on practical solutions and recommendations.

The Democracy Development Foundation (DDF) facilitates access to vital social services, especially public health, for the more marginalized and vulnerable groups of society. DDF is committed to promoting the principles of equal access to human rights-based health care services.