Ethical rules are not defined in medical institutions of Armenia. Advocate Mariam Zadoyan, member of the Armenian Lawyers’ Association, said during the International Medical law Conference “Human Rights in Patient Care” which took place for the first time in Armenia today. According to him, currently there are many corruption risks in the health sector. The advocate believes that it is necessary to inform the citizens they should not be guided by traditions inherited from the soviet times. “It is necessary to conduct an extensive work among the population to explain them that they do not have to put 5000 drams in the nurse’s pocket. They should understand that the so called expression of gratitude is unacceptable, and that the doctors are paid for their work,” she said also proposing to ban gifts to doctors.
This comment raised an interesting response among the participants of the conference. A number of doctors were in favor that health care workers receive the gifts from citizens, “There is a tradition among the people to always thank the doctors, we have inherited this from soviet days,” one of the doctors said. Another doctor added, “Corruption should not be confused with the expression of gratitude to the doctor, they are completely different things.”
Mariam Zadoyan brought a counter-example from her practice at Yerevan Anti-Corruption Center; she said that said that she worked a volunteer at the center for several years. This issue was strict in the Center “never and in no case accept a gift from citizens.” Advocate Ara Karagyozyan confirmed her words emphasizing that he also had worked for 7 months at the Anti-Corruption Center without any payment.
So the lawyers advised the doctors to refrain from asking and accepting any gifts from the citizens with reasoning of law wages, including accepting money.
International Expert Ms Judy Overall supported Mariam Zadoyan’s opinion as well.
Mariam Zadoyan’s speech on the problems in health sector (in Armenian language) is available in the video.
