As part of its efforts to support the professional integration of refugee healthcare professionals into Armenia’s healthcare system, the Council of Europe, in close cooperation with the National Institute of Health of the Republic of Armenia, organised a two-day training session on ethical rules for healthcare professionals on 22–23 May for 32 refugee healthcare professionals. The training enabled participants to obtain 12 continuous professional development (CPD) credits required for professional certification, while strengthening their knowledge of ethical standards and patient-centred healthcare. During the sessions, participants explored European and Armenian standards on ethics in healthcare, focusing on ethical norms in patient–doctor relationships, the prevention of conflicts of interest, and key principles such as medical secrecy, confidentiality, and informed consent.  

The initiative was particularly timely in light of the Government of the Republic of Armenia’s decision that, starting from 1 September 2025, senior and mid-level healthcare professionals must mandatorily obtain at least 10 CPD credits from the course “Ethical Rules for Healthcare Professionals” during each five-year cycle. This requirement forms part of the minimum number of CPD credits established by law for certification purposes (220 CPD credits for senior healthcare professionals and 140 CPD credits for mid-level healthcare professionals).

The event was organised by the Council of Europe as part of its Project “Protection of Human Rights in Biomedicine III”, implemented within the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia 2023–2026.