From 1 to 10 November, 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, 289 articles were declared, 135 of which were negative, 9 were positive and 145 were neutral.
Articles on Minister Arsen Torosyan are mainly negative. According to media reports, Armenia is going to test vaccine against AIDS. Alina Nikoghosyan, the press secretary for the Ministry of Health, said the ministry has nothing to say on this matter.
According to reports, Arsen Torosyan has been appointed to his position due to Minister Arayik Harutyunyan and now people who are related to the Open Society Foundation are doing everything possible to prevent Arayik Harutyunyan from resigning. Arsen Torosyan is also active in this matter.
The media outlets report that they are regularly alerted that the new hemodialysis equipment will be out of order in 2-3 months, while the former equipment, according to media reports, has lasted for at least a year. When asked about the reason why the ministry is not using its former equipments, Arsen Torosyan noted that no one reported them about a problem.
RPA member Narek Mirzoyan says the only inpatient TB unit in Shirak province has problems. He drew the Prime Minister’s attention to the problem; “Due to light-handedness and brilliance of mind of Health Minister Arsen Torosyan, the only inpatient TB unit in Shirak region is being closed and optimized, as a result of which, patients of the whole region who have financial problems, suffer․
It is also noted that David Sanasaryan is not the only teammate who Arsen Torosyan has strained relations with. The minister, however, noted that he does not have any disagreements with anyone, including David Sanasaryan.
Arsen Torosyan is one of the pioneers in the fight against smoking. Arsen Torosyan has both supporters and oppositionists in this regard.
