In December 2023, Armenia underwent a JEE mission that evaluated its capacities in 19 technical areas for public health. This process involved collaboration between national subject matter experts and the multi-national JEE team, leading to consensus on scores and priority actions across all areas. Despite being significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Armenia has maintained essential health services and high vaccination rates through its national immunization program. However, a recent humanitarian crisis caused by the military conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh forced the displacement of over 100 thousand refugees with various health issues, highlighting the importance of being prepared to respond to complex emergencies that require collaboration between public health, security, and other sectors.
The external team conducted field visits and technical discussions to identify cross-cutting themes and challenges that affect all 19 technical areas in Armenia. As a result, four recommendations have been proposed to address these issues and further strengthen the country’s public health capacities. These recommendations aim to improve the quality of healthcare services, increase accessibility to healthcare services for marginalized populations, enhance data collection and analysis capabilities, and improve community engagement in public health initiatives.
Armenia’s commitment to improving its public health capabilities is evident from its decision to undergo a second JEE mission in early December 2023. The country’s dedication to strengthening its IHR core capacities shows its willingness to work collaboratively with experts from around the world to address complex issues that require collective action. With these recommendations in place, Armenia can continue to build on its strengths and overcome challenges in public health management.
