Armenia

Armenia operates a decentralized health system, with the Ministry of Health serving as the sole payer for publicly funded healthcare services. Since the mid-1990s, the country has undertaken significant health reforms, including the decentralization of service delivery to regional and local authorities, partial privatization, and the creation of the State Health Agency (SHA) in 1997. 

The SHA operates within the Ministry of Health, overseeing contract preparation with providers, report processing, budget disbursement, and conducting audits. The Ministry of Health is responsible for the development and implementation of national health policies and regulations, including the licensing of healthcare providers. Through the SHA, the Ministry acts as the exclusive purchaser and single payer for medical services covered by the Basic Benefits Package (BBP).

The BBP encompasses various healthcare programs that are available to the entire population, including primary care, emergency care, maternal and child care, and treatment for cancer, HIV/AIDS, TB, and other infectious diseases. Although the majority of healthcare delivery remains within the public sector, the private sector plays a crucial role in providing specialized hospital care. The Ministry of Health directly oversees a small number of specialized care facilities, while regional and local health authorities manage the majority of public facilities, including regional hospitals, urban polyclinics, and rural primary care centers.