Armenian health minister: It’s important to work with international partners

YEREVAN. – Armenian government is working to create a branch in healthcare system that will deal with coronavirus only, Heath Minister Arsen Torosyan said during the “COVID-19: Challenging General Fear” online conference.

He said that they the main challenge that Armenia and other countries is facing is shortage of personal protective equipment.

“We are keen to break transmission circles, but if doctors and nurses get infected, they will transmit the disease, and it this is even more important than the number of ventilators at ICUs,” he said.

Torosyan said Armenia naturally faces logistic problems, as the flights were suspended and the land borders are closed.

“We mobilize charter flights to bring cargo and to bring Armenian nationals back to homeland,” he added.

Speaking about tests, Torosyan emphasized that they chose PCR tests as they prove to be more effective and try to avoid rapid testing.

The health minister underlined importance of working with international partners, especially with Russia, China as well as neighboring countries.

“The Armenian diaspora, mainly from the U.S., helps us. Although we understand that the U.S. is one of the centers of outbreak, cross-country support can help nations like Armenia to face these challenges,” he resumed.

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