Health and wellbeing across the life-cycle: Armenia strengthens health reforms with WHO support

The Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Ararat Mirzoyan and the Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Armenia, Dr. Jihane Tawilah met to discuss joint initiatives and priorities for health and well-being across the country at a meeting in the capital, Yerevan, today.

The Minister highly appreciated activities carried out by WHO in Armenia and expressed gratitude for the  support to respond to COVID-19 pandemic and overcome its consequences.

Dr. Tawilah observed that despite the challenges of the past two years of conflict and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Armenia has been moving forward steadily with its health reform process, laying a foundation for the well-being of future generations. WHO continues to support national efforts and priority development reforms that place health at the centre of socioeconomic growth, working with all development partners, and consolidating coordination and joint planning for health under the European Programme of Work (EPW) 2020–2025, a comprehensive framework of health priorities across the life-cycle that guides WHO’s work in the Europe and Central Asia region, agreed upon by all 53 Member States including Armenia.

“It is a great privilege for me to be in Armenia. At WHO, we continue working closely with the Government, civil society, academia, development partners and other stakeholders to strengthen universal access to quality health services, prepare for and respond better to public health emergencies, and promote the health and wellbeing of the people of Armenia including the most vulnerable,” said Dr. Tawilah while presenting the letter of her credentials.

Quality health care accessible to everyone regardless of their financial means, effective preparedness and response against health emergencies, healthy communities as contributors to an economy of well-being, are the three core elements of the Biennial Collaborative Agreement (BCA) signed between the Republic of Armenia and WHO in April 2022.

Dr Tawilah also thanked Minister Mirzoyan for Armenia hosting  the forthcoming WHO-led Global Meeting of Emergency Medical Teams in Yerevan on 5-7 October 2022 , a unique event to be held for the first time in Europe where more than 450 participants are expected from across the world including high-level officials and ministers of health. 

“WHO Armenia and the Regional Office for Europe will spare no possible efforts to develop further, both at the country level and within the WHO European Region, our long-lasting and fruitful partnership with the Republic of Armenia and a range of health partners for the wellbeing of all citizens here and across the region”, Dr Tawilah said. “Health is everyone’s business and is  integral part of development and economic prosperity of the country rather than a cost. It requires multilsectoral collaboration, transcending any  divides and identifying areas of common interest that serve all people. In this, Armenia is assured of WHO as a trusted partner now, and in the years ahead.”