A lecture entitled “The Structure of the French Healthcare System” by Florence Veber, a French physician and Director of International Relations at the AP-HP Hospital Group; was held at Yerevan State Medical University after Mkhitar Heratsi.
Welcoming the guests and attendees, Khachatur Margaryan, Vice-Rector for Development and Marketing; emphasized that the lecture will be quite useful, taking into account Professor’s vast experience in the field of public healthcare and international relations, especially in the context of the changes taking place in our country, such as the introduction of comprehensive health insurance.
Marine Hovhannisyan, Dean of the Faculty of Public Health; noted: “It is an honor for us to host Professor Veber. Our students are also present here, they will be very interested in getting acquainted with the peculiarities of the French healthcare system, and having the opportunity to compare it with the healthcare system of our country”.
Starting the lecture, the specialist noted that she had worked with various French health ministers. As a characteristic feature of the French healthcare system, she singled out the low financial barrier, the purpose of which is to ensure access to medical services for people.
According to Florence Weber, 77% of the costs of medical services are covered by health insurance, 15% are provided through additional payments, and only 8% are covered by the patient. “The most important thing is that very serious diseases – cancer, cardiovascular and chronic diseases – are fully covered by the state,” she added.
As in all countries of the world, in France, too, according to Florence Veber, the healthcare system consists of 2 parts: hospitals and outpatient treatment.
She conducted comparisons with the healthcare systems of England and Spain.
“Medicine today is universal: everyone needs everyone. That is why we must be inclined to work together”, Florence Veber urged.
She spoke in detail about the activities of the University Hospital in Paris, which has a history of more than 400 years.
Regarding the international cooperation, the Professor said that every year about 700 foreign doctors from different countries of the world were trained there.
At the end of the lecture, the French specialist answered the questions of the Armenian colleagues.
