On 16 May 2024, Armenia has signed the Council of Europe Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine, known as the Oviedo Convention. Prior to the ratification of the Convention, it is essential to engage in discussions with various professional groups to ensure a shared understanding of its provisions. 

To discuss the main principles and standards of the Oviedo Convention and its Additional Protocols, as well as the functioning of the Ethics committee for healthcare professionals with the advisors of the Ministry of Health of RA, the Council of Europe Office in Yerevan, in close collaboration with the Ministry has organized a meeting on 13-14 July 2024. 

The meeting aimed at gathering leading specialists who provide key support to the Ministry in developing healthcare policy in Armenia and was devoted to in-depth discussions and deliberations on the ratification process of the Convention and the main findings of one-year functioning of the Ethics Committee of healthcare professionals, as well as other priority areas of healthcare policy.  

The opening remarks of the meeting were delivered by Ms Laurence Lwoff, Head of Human Rights and Biomedicine Division of the Council of Europe and Ms Lena Nanushyan, First Deputy Minister of Health of Health of RA. Ms Lwoff acknowledged particularly major support and the role played by the Ministry of Health in the process of signature and ratification of the Convention.   

The discussion has started with the presentation of the legal provisions laid down and rights ensured by the Oviedo Convention, followed by a discussion on the Ethics Committee for healthcare professionals, emphasizing the essential need for close collaboration with medical practitioners. Other sessions addressed the Government's priorities in the field of healthcare, such as introducing a comprehensive health insurance system and aligning healthcare professionals' activities with forthcoming professional standards. Consultants had the chance to express and discuss their concerns and suggestions with the Minister and deputy ministers in this context.

The discussion served as a vital platform for advancing the ratification of the Oviedo Convention by Armenia, as well as promoted the discussion between professionals and policy makers.

The annual meeting of the advisors of the Ministry of Health was organised by the Council of Europe as part of its Project on “Protection of Human Rights in Biomedicine II” implemented within the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia 2023-2026.