In any developed country medical insurance is an inseparable part of social life, said a member of the RA National Academy of Sciences.

“Presently, Armenia is not rich enough to issue medical insurance. In fact, insurance can help the most vulnerable social strata. People go to hospital only if there is no other way out, as the government pays for treatment of only 8% of Armenian population,” Vilen Hakobyan said during a joint press conference with director of Surb Mariam healthcare center Gagik Martirosyan.

Mr. Martirosyan said for his part that volunteer medical insurance could be an option. “Nevertheless, only wealthy people practice it in Armenia. Those having serious health problems are not granted insurance,” he noted.