Health / Health system development

As the COVID-19 pandemic is spread worldwide, the number of confirmed cases in Armenia accelerated over the past months. Community transmission has been confirmed on 27 May 2020. The increasing number of cases has already put considerable stress on the health system and with government lifting most restrictions, the number of confirmed cases has further significantly increased. While the government repurposed 9 hospitals to serve COVID-19 patients only, the number of hospital beds are running out and there is an increasing demand for health workers. On 8 June 2020, the Minister of Health announced an additional four regional medical centers will be repurposed to treat COVID-19 patients. For optimal use of hospital beds, since 20 May 2020, COVID-19 positive patients with no or mild symptoms are no longer hospitalized but are required to stay at home under surveillance of primary healthcare providers.

The government needs support to augment its healthcare capacity to ensure effective and timely life-saving efforts. Health systems capacities need to be strengthened to detect, test, isolate and treat cases effectively. This will require support in the provision of additional medical equipment and supplies to enhance laboratory and ICU capacity and ensure that the healthcare system is properly prepared, to cope with the increasing number of cases.

To alleviate financial resource constraints to meet immediate needs and deliver appropriate medical services where required.

Improved capacity of Armenai in preparedness, prevention, and response to COVID-19 disease.

Financial support provided to the government' to meet immediate needs and deliver appropriate medical services to combat COVID-19 disease outbreak