It is planned to introduce a whole package of amendments to the law on medical care and public services that will help to close some gaps in the current legislation and will contribute to the development of more effective health policy, said Armenian deputy health minister Anahit Avanesyan.

Within the proposed changes, it is expected to improve the legal regulation in the field of personal data protection, so that it will be possible to ensure the constitutional rights of citizens to privacy.

Also, the proposed changes define the concept of medical confidentiality and the requirements for its preservation, clarify the range of rights and obligations of patients, help better regulate the relationship between patients and health workers.

It is also specified in which situations health workers should report to the law enforcement authorities about the patients who came to them if there is reason to believe that the patients suffered as a result of violence or other illegal actions.

The package of amendments also contains the legal framework and the necessary settlements for the implementation and operation of the e-health system, as the deputy minister noted.

Other proposed changes include legislative regulation of the specifics of obtaining medical care for people affected by emergencies, military or terrorist acts, and also determine the causes and forms of conducting a mandatory forensic medical examination.