RoA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan will be taking a brief vacation starting today till the 14. While overseas, PM Sargsyan will undergo a medical examination.

During his absence, Deputy Prime Minister Armen Gevorgyan will temporarily assume the running of the government.

Ruben Khachatryan, Director of the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets, said today that the plastic bags so freely handed out in Yerevan shops are killing the environment and ordinary people.

“I’m not only talking about the plastic bags we use for our food shopping. Even the plastic toys and other stuff we buy eventually winds up in the garbage. None of it can be recycled,” he said, adding that the Armenian authorities are not monitoring the importation of plastics nor their local manufacture. As a result, Armenia is awash in the stuff, he argued. »»»»»

Based on international studies, on average, 10% of a given country’s population suffers from some sort of psychological illness.

Psychiatrist Harutyun Minasyan said today that according to this finding, there should be 350,000 people in Armenia experiencing mental health problems. However, only 34,000 are registered at Armenia’s various psychological clinics. Today, at a press conference, he asked where the rest were hiding. »»»»»

Psychiatrist Harutyun Minasyan said that based on his statistics, one suicide takes place on a daily basis in Armenia and that the vast majority of those taking their own lives are the young.

Mr. Minasyan said there are many reasons for the high number of suicides but singled out the poor state of the mental health system in Armenia as leading the way. Only five of Yerevan 22 health clinics have any psycho-therapists and there are no more crisis centers for people to call. “Mental health care is frowned upon in Armenian today. Many find it a disgrace to have to seek out professional psychological care,” he said. »»»»»

On the occasion of the historic victories in the month of May, the Yerevan Medical Center has provided free medical service to 700 family members of freedom fighters, including some cases of serious operations.   The medical center receives no state support and the event was organized through its own financial means and that of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation.
The vast majority of patients had internal diseases that had been caused by poor social conditions and stress. »»»»»

American-Armenian Dentist Proposes Preventative Oral Care Program for Kids but Officials Appear Uninterested.

Jack Saroian, a Doctor of Dentistry,  has been practicing dentistry in San Francisco for the past forty years. He also teaches at the Faculty of Dentistry at Pacific Ocean University. »»»»»

RA President Serzh Sargsyan made an unexpected visit to Yerevan’s Nairi Medical Center this morning. The reason for the president’s one and a half hour visit is unknown..

President Sargsyan arrived at the hospital escorted by a convoy of security and other service personnel. Photo-journalist Gagik Shamshyan was on the scene to take these photos.

From now until May 1, 2010, family members from Armenia, Artsakh and Javakhk whose relatives were killed during the Artsakh War can apply for free medical treatment at the Yerevan Medical Center in Yerevan.

During a conversation with Hetq, Mr. Taron Tonoyan, Director of the Center said that in his professional capacity he has met many individuals who haven’t been able to avail themselves of free medical treatment from state-run hospitals. “While we don’t have a contract with the government to treat those at state expense, we can afford to assist them during the upcoming month,” said Mr. Tonoyan. »»»»»

According to Emil Gabrielyan, Director of the RoA Center for Drugs Certification stated today that 10-12% of the drugs sold in Armenia today are illegally produced.

“Most of the drugs illegally produced are those that widely sold over the counter. In lessere developed countries antibiotics are mainly counterfeited and hormonal drugs are illegally manufactured in more developed countries,” Mr. Gabrielyan said. »»»»»

Today is World Health Day. Every year since 1950, on April 7, the World Health Organization, celebrates the day with a call for healthy living and greater public health preventative measures.

Emil Gabrielyan, Director of the RoA Drug Certification Center, noted that the time for people to think about their health is exactly when they are healthy; that is before becoming ill. Mr. Gabrielyan also conveyed special wishes to Armenia’s women given that April 7 coincides with Women’s Day in Armenia. Mr. Gabrielyan stated that even though women are considered the ‘weaker sex’, they are the ones that carry a greater burden than men for they not only are the ones who give birth but also raise and rear the family.

“Guanxi” offers its diverse services in those places that are convenient for you – at home or at workplace. Our goal is to improve your burdened life and make it more beautiful by providing a qualified service. »»»»»

Two Armenian doctors will visit Southern California next month to study pediatric transplant methods at the Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center.

Surgeons Gegham Poghosyan and David Dallakyan will spend six months studying pediatric liver transplant techniques, which they can then apply to their work in Yerevan, Armenia. The project is sponsored by World Children’s Transplant Fund. The Fund held a charity reception on Wednesday in conjunction with the Armenian Consulate. »»»»»

RoA Deputy Health Minister Tatul Hakobyan, during a press conference held today regarding developments in the health field, said that the average life expectancy of a male was 70 and 77 for females.

Minister Hakobyan said that mortality rates were still high but that there was a slight downward trend of late. He credited the work of the government and health ministry for the decrease. The major causes of death, according to the minister, are cardio-vascular, cancer-related, respiratory and digestive, in descending order. »»»»»

“Hetq” has learnt that another person has succumbed to the N1H1 flu virus in Armenia.

Minster of Health Assistant Shushan Hunanyan reports that an 80 year-old woman has passed away – making her the third known fatality. 11 cases of swine flu have since been registered in the country.

According to reports from the NKR Ministry of Health, four cases of the H1N1 flu virus have been registered in the country so far. Two are children, the other two senior citizens.

Nine blood samples had been sent by NKR health official to Yerevan for examination. Four turned out positive for “swine flu”. One of those afflicted is being treated on an out-patient basis. The other three had been hospitalized. One individual has already been released and a second will soon be.