Victims Fleeing Abuse

medical expenses are partly covered by Takuhi and the nonprofit organization assisting her. However, this should be the responsibility of the government.”

Representative of Women’s Resource Center NGO

Primary Health Care for Victims Fleeing Abuse

To escape abuse and for safety reasons, victims of domestic violence may urgently leave their home to find refuge at the shelter for victims of domestic violence or with their relatives. After moving to a safe place which usually is in another province, the victim may need primary health care services.

Decision N 420-N of the RA Government51 refers to the procedure for selection of the primary care doctor near the person’s residence. According to Decision N 420-N, a change in the primary health care doctor and medical institution requires a transfer form accompanied by the patient’s medical card. The transfer card would indicate the new address where the patient has moved. Disclosing this information is a breach of confidentiality and can jeopardize the safety of the DV victim. Additionally, beneficiaries coming to the shelter from regions far from the shelter without such transfer of documents cannot benefit

51 See Decision N 420-N On approval of the Procedure of Selection of the Doctor Providing Primary Health Care Services and the Population Registration Procedure, https://www.arlis. am/DocumentView.aspx?docid=64108.

from medical care. Moreover, victims who are at shelter are not allowed to disclose the address of the shelter so that its secret location can be maintained for safety reasons. Special regulations must be provided by the Ministry of Health for transfer of medical records for victims of DV to guarantee their safety and privacy.

Recommendations:

1. Provide training in DV for health care providers;

2. Ministry of Health to provide special internal order to allow for transfer of medical records for victims of DV at the request of victim or DV Support Center without disclosing the new address;

3. Provide state-guaranteed free provision of health care services to victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse who fled their residence for safety reasons.