On March 21, Armen Hayrapetyan brought his son, who is two years and eight months old, to Yerevan Polyclinic No. 19 for a medical evaluation.

The child had been coughing and running a fever for several days. The doctor on duty ordered a CT scan and prescribed several medications. He said that the examination would cost 80,000 drams, since Mr. Hayrapetyan, a native of Artsakh, and his family members are not citizens of the Republic of Armenia.

"The physician demonstrated considerable empathy by ensuring we would not experience any abrupt distress. I expressed my astonishment, noting that the matter pertains to children. He explained that he was unable to take further action due to legal restrictions; even with a referral, I would be responsible for the cost of the examination," Mr. Hayrapetyan tells Hetq.

The doctor on duty gave Mr. Hayrapetyan the phone number of the Ministry of Health’s hotline and suggested that he clarify things with the ministry.

Mr. Hayrapetyan contacted the ministry, where he was informed that the right of children to free medical care and services applies only to minors with Armenian citizenship. If they had citizenship, the child could have been provided with free medical care.

This decision seemed illogical to Armen. His family members have a temporary registration address, are registered with Polyclinic No. 19, and have a certificate confirming their refugee status.

“I have also now applied for Armenian citizenship. I was collecting the necessary documents. That process is also ongoing, although I think that we are all citizens. We have the same passport, and my passport also states that I am a citizen of Armenia. Why should being a refugee be an obstacle for healthcare and basic household needs?” asks a puzzled Mr. Hayrapetyan.

According to Government Resolution No. 318-N, the state guarantees free hospital and outpatient medical care for all children.

Government Resolution No. 2023 stipulates that persons forcibly displaced from Artsakh are granted temporary protection status, which is equated with refugee status.

Article 23 of the Law On Refugees refers to the right to social security and medical assistance. It stipulates that refugees who have received asylum in the territory of Armenia have the right to use social services defined by the legislation for citizens of the Republic of Armenia, free medical assistance and services guaranteed by the state. All provisions of the RA Law On Refugees and Asylum apply to people holding this status.

By ratifying the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Armenia has undertaken to respect and ensure the rights of the child (including health care) without any discrimination, regardless of the citizenship or status of the child or his/her parents.

However, the laws and government decisions in Armenia do not apply to persons forcibly displaced from Artsakh and who do not yet have Armenian citizenship.

Mariam Tsatryan, press secretary of the Minister of Health, told Hetq the following.

“A citizen displaced from Karabakh, in this case a child, if he has accepted Armenia citizenship and is a resident, is a full beneficiary of insurance. In the case of refugee status, these citizens are served with a different scope of medical care. If it is a difficult-to-access examination - laboratory-diagnostic, then children can use the established privilege - with a referral to the Primary Health Care provider.”

The ministry suggested that Mr. Hayrapetyan contact the polyclinic administration to clarify the matter.

Here, the question arises if children with refugee status enjoy the same rights as Armenian citizens by law, why is the realization of this right not ensured in Armenia’s healthcare system?

Photo: archive / ©Saro Baghdasaryan, Hetq