ArmInfo. On the initiative of the Ombudsman of Armenia, for the first time with the Council of Europe, a program for the protection of human rights in the field of biomedicine will be implemented on the territory of the Council of Europe. The office of the human rights defender informs about it.
On September 22, the first online meeting of the Commission for Coordination of Action of the Human Rights in Biomedicine Program was held. The goal of the program is to raise public awareness of the criteria for human rights in the field of biology and medicine, to strengthen the capabilities of lawyers, doctors, government agencies in the application of these criteria, to ensure the application in our country of the regulations provided for by the Oviedo Convention in the field of biology and medicine. Human rights Defender Arman Tatoyan, Head of Department of Policy and Cooperation in the Field of Human Rights of the Directorate General of the Council of Europe Mikhail Lobov, First Deputy Minister of Health Anahit Avanesyan made opening speeches at the meeting.
"There are problems in Armenia in the field of protecting personal data of patients. We have documented problems with adequate access to medical services in both psychiatric hospitals and penitentiary institutions. In particular, in psychiatric hospitals, there are cases when patients do not consent to treatment and are not duly informed of their rights. There are problems with the proper provision of medical services in penitentiary institutions, ranging from the lack of medical equipment to conditions in buildings and problems in the field of personal data protection. Sex-related artificial terminations of pregnancy and the inaccessibility of medical services, especially in regions, create obstacles to maintaining people's health, "Tatoyan noted. Within the framework of the program, the Ombudsman also noted the importance of enhancing the role of medical workers, securing decent working conditions and social guarantees.
The online discussion was attended by representatives of the Ministries of Health, Labor and Social Affairs, Justice, Foreign Affairs, Education, Science, Culture and Sports, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly on Healthcare and Social Affairs, the RA Academy of Justice and representatives of the embassies that assisted in financing the program in RA.
The Human Rights Defender and the Council of Europe Office will implement the program in 2020-2022.