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Women's Health Clinic, Stepanakert, Karabakh
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Women's Health Clinic, Stepanakert, Karabakh
The Armenian Canadian Medical Association of Ontario (ACMAO) and the Ministry of Health of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) have a long history of successful cooperation. In 2003, the Ministry proposed to establish a Women's Health Clinic in Stepanakert, Karabakh. The proposal was reviewed and approved by ACMAO's Executive Board and a committee was formed for project's implementation.
Conveniently located in downtown Stepanakert and next to the Diagnostic Centre, the clinic occupies 150 m2 of renovated space, provided by the Ministry. Equipment, supplies and medications were purchased in Armenia or Canada or received as donations. A young and prospective gynaecologist was selected as the Clinic Director and sent for additional training to Yerevan. A psychologist, a nurse and housekeeping personnel were hired. Referral network was established through the Ministry. Continuous annual funding is provided through private donations of 10 couples living in Toronto, in lieu of birthday presents.
The clinic deals with women's health issues including infertility, menopause and STDs, and provides counseling to teenagers and families. Within the first 3 months after the official opening on October 9, 2004 in the presence of Karabakh's First Lady and the Minister of Health, the clinic has seen 1000 patients with various conditions from the entire territory of NKR. A 3 months waiting list has already accumulated. The success of the clinic proves the swiftness, economic efficiency and health care benefit, with which projects in primary health care in Armenia and Karabakh can be implemented.
Dental
projects began immediately following the earthquake under the supervision
of Drs. R. Chouldjian and A. Keleshian. Dr. Z. Ouzounian then spearheaded
the establishment of the dental division of ACMAO, while at the same time
creating the international dental division of AMIC. Between 1992 and 1995
large amounts of dental materials, instruments and supplies were provided
to the Echmiadzin and Artic (earthquake zone) dental clinics along with
a rich education program in Yerevan, Gumri and Artsakh. In 1997, Dr. Ouzounian's
team helped organize the First International Dental Conference in Yerevan
with over 500 participants.
A
project of great pride to ACMAO, and especially its dental division, has
been the establishment, in May 1998, of the first-ever dental clinic in
the strategic liberated town of Shushi. Our dentists, through their
personal means and creative fundraising strategies, maintain the ongoing
activities of this clinic. The clinic provides free and comprehensive
preventive and general service dental care to Shushi and its environs.
In recent years, ACMAO has established and is running another dental clinic in Hadrout, as well as is currenlty building another one in Martouni, all three in Karabakh. The ultimate goal is to provide free dental care to the entire population of Karabakh.
Free full-text online biomedical resources for physicians and scientists of Armenia
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Training for medical professionals from Armenia
The next phase of development of the field of health in Armenia will require moving from the basic needs to building modern academic teaching institutions. Only through this can Armenia become self-reliant and a beacon of health education and care to the whole region.
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| Drs. Artur Gevorgyan (top left) and Georgi Nazaryan (top right) with ACMAO past-president Dr. Berge Minassian (sitting) |
Providing an opportunity for modern training to health care specialists of Armenia was one of the main goals of ACMAO since the time of its establishment. During the last decade, ACMAO sponsored more than 20 trainees, who were able to spend time in Canada and the USA with several months of training at the best hospitals and medical centres.
In 2002-2003, ACMAO has provided funding for the training residents from the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Microsurgery Univercity Centre of the Yerevan State Medical University. Both trainees successfully completed a 6-month observership program at the Division of Plastic Surgery of the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, one of the leading academic pediatric centres in North America. Upon return, Dr. Nazarian has completed his surgical residency in plastic surgery in Moscow, Russia, and is currently undertaking PhD studies in the same area. Dr. Gevorgyan has finished his Master's degree at the University of Toronto, and is currently a resident in Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, and an ACMAO board member. Both trainees continue helping the homeland by all means.
The most recent health professional to undergo training in Toronto was our dentist from Shushi clinic in Karabakh. His training will facilitate the improvement of our free-of-charge services to the population of the region.
© 2004-2009. Armenian Canadian Medical Association of Ontario