State of Healthcare in Armenia
Discussion with Anahit Avanesyan, JD
Minister of Healthcare, Republic of Armenia
Ms. Anahit Avanesyan has over 15 years of experience in the legal and regulatory fields in the public and private sectors, as well as in governance and management. She was appointed as Minister of Healthcare in January 2021 following her previous position as First Deputy Minister of Healthcare. She started working in health sector governance in 2018, assuming the position of Deputy Minister. Ms. Avanesyan specialized in legal and regulatory issues, including policy and regulatory frameworks of pharmaceutical products. She has experience as both Director and Board member of the “Arpharmacia” CJSC company from 2014 to 2018. Ms. Avaneysan held various positions working as a Director and a Legal Advisor for a number of private and public institutions, starting her career as a lawyer at the Legal Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and later as a Legal Advisor to the State Reserve Agency from 2000 to 2002. Ms. Avanesyan has extensive experience in working with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), holding the position of Legal Advisor to the “Democracy Today” NGO from 2005 to 2015, and is a strong supporter of women’s participation in governance. She has been part of numerous initiatives promoting women’s rights and the participation of young women, in particular. Ms. Avanesyan studied at Yerevan State University, specializing in Civil Law, and graduated with a Master’s Degree in Law. She successfully completed the Master’s Program in Law at the American University of Armenia In 2004.
Dr. Vicken Sepilian is a Reproductive Medicine specialist and is the founder and director of American Fertility Specialists Medical Group. He is double board-certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, as well as Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Sepilian has been an active member of the Armenian American Medical Society (AAMS), holding multiple leadership positions, including serving as the President from 2009 to 2013. Dr. Sepilian served as the Chairman of the 11th Armenian Medical World Congress and currently is the President of the Armenian Medical International Committee(AMIC), a nonprofit organization with chapters all over the world, with the aim of coordinating global efforts in improving healthcare in Armenia. Passionate about community education, in 2008, Dr. Sepilian launched the “Your Health” educational TV program aimed at sharing with the community the latest and most important healthcare topics. Since 2008, the show has been making house calls to tens of thousands of viewers, helping educate them on preventative care and healthy lifestyles. In 2010, Dr. Sepilian, alongside other civic leaders and the former Mayor of the City of Glendale, co-founded the Glendale Health Festival. Dr. Sepilian worked closely with city and state officials and local hospitals to organize this large-scale event with the aim of improving the health of the community. Dr. Sepilian is a strong believer that success and wealth are measured by life’s experiences and human interactions and that true happiness and purpose are achieved by giving. Cherished memories include debates about life and death with Dr. Jack Kevorkian, delivering pens to students in villages in Sri Lanka, and teaching chess to orphans in Nepal.