Friday, April 10 2020 16:20

ArmInfo.A negative indicator of maternal mortality may be recorded in Armenia. Minister of Healthcare of the Republic of Armenia Arsen Torosyan stated this on April 10 during a meeting of the Standing Committee on Health and Social  Affairs of the National Assembly of Armenia.

Torosyan informed that last year a rather large number of cases of  maternal mortality were revealed in Armenia.

To recall, from January to September 2019 alone , this figure reached  10. Meanwhile, according to the minister, most of them were  associated with extragenital diseases, that is, they were not related  to pregnancy and childbirth. Despite this, last year's figures, as  Torosyan put it, give cause for thought. In particular, this  indicates the need for continued monitoring of women's health during  pregnancy and after childbirth. The Minister reminded that in Armenia  the maternal mortality index is calculated in a three-year context,  because, according to the applied methodology, the indicator is  calculated on the basis of data for 100 thousand newborns. In the  republic, about 30 thousand children are born annually. Earlier it  was reported that in Armenia the maternal mortality index is below  20, while in the CIS countries this figure is on average 29.4.

Torosyan also informed that this year it is planned to expand the  circle of beneficiaries of the state program on ensuring  accessibility of reproductive technologies. This program has been  introduced since September last year and, according to the minister,  has tangible results. In this regard, from the current year it can  expand, becoming also available for residents of border regions. Only  in terms of assisted reproductive technologies, about 1 billion drams  are included in the program.  During the year, the state program for  the treatment of acute ischemic strokes can be expanded. So, in  addition to increasing financing from last year's 500 million to 600  million, its implementation can also cover medical facilities in  Vanadzor and Gyumri, as well as two more Yerevan medical centers.   Meanwhile, Torosyan did not rule out the possibility that the crisis  that has arisen this year in connection with the situation with the  coronavirus will force us to return to the programs being implemented  due to changes in economic indicators. Meanwhile, he expressed the  hope that the current situation will not affect the budget of the  health sector.