Development of Palliative Care in Armenia

Abstract

In the last seven years, considerable progress has been made in palliative care (PC) in Armenia, but many problems remain unresolved. Policies developed include completion of a national needs assessment, a recognized working group on PC formed, national standards approved, a concept paper on PC approved, resolutions on PC as a specialized service approved, PC became a subspecialty in medicine, PC qualifications developed, and a social assistance package approved. In addition, the Government of Armenia lately approved the National Strategy on Palliative Care for Adults and 2017-2019 Action Plan. Oral morphine was added to the list of essential medicines but remains unavailable in Armenia, and many highly restrictive regulations remain in force. Progress in basic training in PC for physicians and nurses has been made, and two nursing schools now require it for all students. A "Pain Control and Palliative Care Association" began in 2003, and for two years, four pilot PC programs successfully operated with Global Fund resources. However, now only one service provider is operating. The public has begun to learn about PC, but funding remains a challenge.

Keywords: Armenia; Global Fund; human rights; opioid; pain; palliative care.