Healthcare Services in the Context of Social Services

Within the " Reinforcement of the Migration Management System in the Republic of Armenia" project, 19 local civil society organisations (CSOs) were engaged to provide a range of social and economic development initiatives. Thanks to this collaborative effort, more than 1,800 individuals across various regions of Armenia have received essential social support.

One of the sub-granted organisations, "Right to Health", a healthcare and social NGO, has carried out professional interventions in rural areas. Their medical team provided mobile health services to 245 women in 11 rural settlements of the Ashtarak and Talin communities in the Aragatsotn region. The primary aim was to increase access to hard-to-reach healthcare services in rural locations, ensure early detection of health issues, and promote prevention.

Alongside service provisions, we conducted a study to assess women's health needs and evaluate rural clinics' capacity to respond to the population’s healthcare demands.

The average age of the 245 women who benefited from the free mobile health services was 46. Among them, 78 were forcibly displaced women from Nagorno-Karabakh, and 87 were labour migrants or family members of migrants.

“Ultrasound screenings of the breast and pelvic organs revealed numerous health issues, indicating that many women have limited access to such diagnostic services. They are not regularly examined for early detection or prevention of complications,” said Eduard Hovhannisyan, president of Right to Health.

During the project, we also identified five cases of Hepatitis B and two cases of Hepatitis C. None of the women had prior symptoms, and only one was aware of her Hepatitis B status. Generally, people only seek medical examinations when their health has significantly worsened. However, effective prevention requires early detection—ideally, while people still feel healthy,” Hovhannisyan emphasised.

He also highlighted that while rural clinics employ capable professionals who work under heavy workloads, limited access to laboratory and diagnostic tools in these areas often prevents timely medical care. Public awareness about the importance of early detection and preventive healthcare is equally vital.

Surveys conducted by the NGO revealed that the most common health issues among rural women were related to the endocrine system. In contrast, among men, both endocrine and urological problems were prevalent. This is particularly concerning, as endocrinology and urology services have been removed from the state-funded healthcare package in recent years, significantly reducing access for rural populations and limiting early diagnosis and prevention opportunities.

Mental health concerns were also pressing, especially among displaced populations. According to the study, 90% of refugee respondents reported feeling sad, anxious, or stressed. However, 60% of them did not believe they required mental health services. This indicates a critical need not only to expand mental health services in rural areas but also to raise public awareness and understanding about mental health issues and the benefits of seeking support.

The contributions of civil society organisations and the expansion of mobile medical and care services in rural communities are essential steps toward creating a more inclusive and effective healthcare and social services system. However, sustainable impact can only be achieved through closer cooperation between civil society and the state.

Mobile medical services play a vital role in early detection and prevention, particularly if supported by public funding and policy.

The Right to Health NGO recommends that the public stay informed, participate in regular screening programmes, and prioritise well-being because protecting individual health contributes to collective social welfare and creates a healthier environment.

The full research findings are available here.

This research was produced within “Reinforcement of the Migration Management System in the Republic of Armenia” project implemented by People in Need. The project is co-funded by the European Union through the Migration Partnership Facility (MPF) implemented by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD).