WHO supports Armenia through surge in rehabilitation needs caused by pandemic and conflict

WHO/Europe is supporting Armenia with the development of a national strategic action plan on rehabilitation and assistive technology (AT). The need for rehabilitation services has drastically increased in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Often supported by AT, rehabilitation is cost-effective and helps achieve and maintain the best treatment outcome for a patient.

More than 40% of people in the country currently live with a health condition that requires rehabilitation care, according to the latest WHO/Europe report. When a person experiences limitations in everyday physical, mental, and social functioning due to ageing or a health condition, they may benefit from rehabilitation. Rehabilitation services support optimal functioning, improve quality of life, increase productivity, and maximize the effectiveness and impact of other health interventions.

For the last 2 years WHO has been supporting Armenia’s efforts to strengthen all aspects of rehabilitation services and AT. Working closely with the Ministry of Health, WHO provided technical support to help assess the rehabilitation situation in the country, including the capacity to respond to unmet need as well as emergency situations. 

National strategic action plan

“Ensuring access to health care also includes access to rehabilitation services,” said Armenia’s Deputy Minister of Health, Armen Nazaryan. “The current rehabilitation system in Armenia is quite competitive and has potential for development. The Ministry of Health is working to provide access to rehabilitation services at the regional level within the country as well. We appreciate WHO's commitment to support the state programs for the development of rehabilitation services and regional accessibility in Armenia.”

A team of WHO experts recently visited the country to assess the rehabilitation situation using a WHO system-level tool, the Systematic Assessment of Rehabilitation Situation (STARS). The team visited health care facilities providing rehabilitative services and assistive products and held meetings and focus group discussions with the government, professional associations, educational institutions, international partners, and service users.

The preliminary findings and recommendations were reviewed in detail with the Ministry of Health and presented at a multi-stakeholder workshop. The comprehensive needs assessment results will be used to further strengthen the country’s rehabilitation and AT sectors and serve as a foundation for the new national strategic action plan. 

Background

Armenia is one of 6 countries in the WHO European Region currently supported by a 5-year USAID project on rehabilitation and AT. The project aims to create effective rehabilitation networks and advocacy, increase policy-relevant rehabilitation information, expand the provision of quality rehabilitation services, and strengthen Ministry of Health leadership and planning with a focus on workforce empowerment.