The free of charge medical service in polyclinics seems to fall into oblivion. As Armenia Deputy Health Minister Vahan Pogosyan said at today's press-conference, they are going to introduce the payment system for the laboratory and diagnostic examination in the polyclinics of Yerevan. An idea to charge for services is explained in a rather original way - fighting corruption.
Pogosyan told Arminfo correspondent that the price of the above mentioned services will be symbolic. For instance, the supersound test will cost not more than 500-1000 AMD. However, they are going to discuss the price policy. However, medical services will be free only for socially vulnerable layers of population, Pogosyan said.
Although the relevant decision has not been adopted yet, such a strange way of fighting corruption with a help of citizens' money causes at least bewilderment. For the last six months the authorities managed to hit the population's pocket. I mean growth of tariffs for natural gas and electric power - by 18.2% and 26.7% respectively, raising of tuition fee, introduction of the obligatory accumulative pension system, etc.
Now the population have to wait for the new "anti-corruption" initiatives.