Prime Minister Receives Head of WHO Mission Arriving in Armenia

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has welcomed the special advisor to the European regional director of the World Health Organization (WHO), Michel Thieren, who leads the mission that has arrived in Armenia. The WHO mission is in Armenia to examine the country’s strategy in the fight against COVID-19 and to provide recommendations.

The Prime Minister emphasized the close cooperation between the Government of Armenia and the WHO, as well as the technical assistance provided by the latter in the process of combating the coronavirus. Nikol Pashinyan also highlighted the fact of close cooperation with international partners in this direction and noted that it will be possible to overcome the coronavirus crisis through joint efforts.

Michel Thieren shared his impressions of visits to medical institutions in Armenia in the context of examining the country’s strategy and offering recommendations. He mentioned that he is impressed by the conditions created for combating COVID-19 and treating patients in Armenian healthcare facilities, stressing that there are no patients in serious condition who have not been hospitalized due to lack of space.

According to Thieren, the information about the pandemic is not complete globally, which is also the reason why experts and professionals present varying views on combating it. He stated that only through studies conducted over time can the tools to fight the infection be found.

In this context, Mr. Thieren emphasized the necessity and effectiveness of wearing masks, maintaining social distance, and washing hands, stating that it is essential to avoid mass gatherings and events in enclosed spaces. He believes that a choice should not be made between locking down the economy and reopening it; experience shows that one must learn to live under the conditions created while following behavioral rules to counter the pandemic.

He also stressed the importance of collaboration between ministries and local self-government bodies in organizing measures aimed at detecting and managing the infection.

At the end of the meeting, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of ensuring continuity in the exchange of experience between the Ministry of Health of Armenia and the WHO.