The Ethics Committee for Healthcare Professionals (Ethics Committee) is an independent body which reviews cases of possible violations of professional ethical rules by healthcare professionals and consists of seven members, including healthcare professionals, lawyers, and psychologists who work on a voluntary basis. The cases under the review of the Ethics Committee fall under the framework of the relationships of healthcare professionals vis-à-vis patients, other healthcare professionals, third parties and public health in general. 

To promote the effectiveness of the functioning of the Ethics Committee, including through awareness raising among professional circles and the public at large,  and to mark the 75^th anniversary of the Council of Europe the Council of Europe Office in Yerevan, in close cooperation with the Ethics Committee for Healthcare Professionals and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia on 4-5 May has organised a two-day capacity-building event for around 35 public relations and other relevant specialists of different healthcare institutions, including public hospitals and private medical centres.

The event aimed at raising awareness on ethical rules for healthcare professionals and functioning of the Ethics Committee for Healthcare Professionals in Armenia based on national and international standards. Considering the vital role of public relations specialists in communication between patients and the healthcare providers, strengthening the knowledge and capacities of these specialists is crucial for further and a wide-range awareness-raising among patients and physicians.

The opening remarks were delivered by Meri Katvalyan, Senior Project Officer of the Project “Protection of Human Rights in Biomedicine” and Izabel Abgaryan, Chair of the Ethics Committee of the Healthcare Professionals.

At the same time, an outgoing meeting of the Ethics Committee for healthcare professionals took place with participation of the members of the Committee.

First ever Ethics Committee for healthcare professionals was formed in Armenia by the N 3470-A Order of the Minister of Health from 13 July 2023 with the support of the Council of Europe to examine cases of violations of ethical rules by healthcare professionals. A wide-range awareness raising on the functioning of the Ethics Committee would greatly contribute to the protection of the rights and dignity of patients and improve the quality of healthcare services provided in Armenia.

The capacity-building training was organised by the Council of Europe Project on “Protection of Human Rights in Biomedicine II” implemented within the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia 2023-2026.