The Minister of Health Arsen Torosyan delivered a New Year message, which reads:

“Dear compatriots,

This year’s Christmas message will be significantly different from the previous ones. The year was hard for all of us in every way. We saw both a state of emergency and a state of war.

The year was especially difficult for the healthcare system and medical staff. One of the “surprises” was the coronavirus disease, which is still a serious challenge for the whole world and for Armenia.

The next was the war that shook us all, the medical workers started fighting on two fronts to save lives, to protect the health of our compatriots. The third direction was the cases requiring urgent medical care, which, regardless of everything, needed service.

For 365 days, everything possible was done so that all patients in need of medical care could receive the treatment available to them.

Medical centers have been equipped and re-profiled. In case of force majeure, the needs were quickly assessed and urgent solutions were provided. But all this would not have been possible, it would not have been worth it if the medical community had not become one fist.

Thank you all. Looking back on 2020, I realize again that you – doctors, epidemiologists, nurses, senior nurse, drivers, and volunteers – have done the impossible to make it possible.

I also thank the staff of the Ministry of Health and its subordinate bodies for their tireless work during those difficult days and for their personal dedication.

I wish that next year will be a year of peace, peace and harmony will enter our lives. And I wish the medical staff strength and energy to continue their professional mission with honor.”