YEREVAN, JANUARY 23, NOYAN TAPAN. In 2006, primary medical aid (at out-patient establishments and polyclinics) for the country's population and dental services to those above the age of 65 were provided based on state order for the first time. According to the report of the RA Ministry of Health submitted to the prime minister on January 22, out of the 39.4 bln drams (about 107 mln USD) budget for health care, 1 bln drams was allocated for replenishing medical establishments with modern equipment. The inroduction of the family medical care system continued. The report said that in 2006 the epidemiological situation in Armenia was relatively satisfactory. Considetable work was done on the implementation of the 2003-2006 national program on fight against tuberculosis and the improvement of the legislative field on health care. The Prime Minister Andranik Margarian gave instructions to pay special attention to the development of regional medical establishments and their inclusion in the system of state orders. The 2006 activities of the ministry received a "satisfactory" mark of the prime minister.

---