From 21 to 30 September, 2019, the “Media Advocate” initiative followed online media reports on the RA Minister of Health, Arsen Torosyan’s personality and activities.
35 leading Armenian news agencies have been monitored.
In the specified period, 104 articles were declared, 23 of which were negative, 2 were positive and 79 were neutral.
RA Health Minister Arsen Torosyan’s team fails to regain the positive image the minister had once. Negative articles are numerous and they refer to various issues in this ten-day period too.
Marina Khachatryan, a former member of the Yerevan Council of Elders, has filed a report to the police against Arsen Torosyan this time. According to Mrs. Khachatryan, Arsen Torosyan violated Articles 308 and 309 of the RA Criminal Code. Marina Khachatryan insists that during a debate between Arsen Torosyan and former head of the Health and Labor Inspectorate Edgar Khurshudyan, the minister said that the citizen’s application should be ignored. Marina Khachatryan insists that the Minister neither has authority to impede the examination of applications nor give instructions to the supervisory body.
According to media outlets, Manvel Grigoryan’s health condition is still serious. However, the Minister of Health, in his turn, gave clarifications noting that Manvel Grigoryan’s health condition is stable and there is no threat of death and everything is under control. Manvel Grigoryan’s lawyer, Levon Baghdasaryan, noted that if the negative dynamics of Manvel Grigoryan’s health condition continues at that hospital, the entire responsibility would fell on the shoulders of the Health Minister.
Dr. Gevorg Grigoryan referred to Arsen Torosyan’s order on poliomyelitis vaccination. According to the doctor, an order of additional vaccination is given only when the regular, scheduled vaccination is not effective or when a speculation occurs. The doctor added: “Since no such case has been reported, I am inclined to believe that this may be a case of speculation.”
By the way, he noted that one of the citizens found out that the QR code of the vaccine is invalid, which, according to the doctor, confirms the phenomenon of speculation, and it turns to be an “illegal” vaccine.
