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Ţ Ţ Ţ Ţ Ţ No3  No3  No3  N3  Ü Ü Ü Ü Ü

October 2003

 

 

                                          THE AMIC NEWSLETTER

 

 

1-      AMIC’s General Assembly

 

 

Taking advantage of the “ First International Medical Congress” organized in Armenia, AMIC held its own annual General Assembly, for the first time, in Yerevan. Exceptionally, the GA was held before the Congress on June 30 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. with an abbreviated agenda. Thirty representatives of member associations and individual physicians involved in AMIC’s activities were present. The discussions focused mainly on AMIC’s Journal[1], then the financial report followed by a discussion on ways and means to increase AMIC’s finances and budget, the AMIC/AUA research project, and the next 2005 Congress in San Francisco.

The 2004 General Assembly will be held in San Francisco. The exact dates will be announced in due time.

 

2- The First International Medical Congress of Armenia[2]

 

The organization of the First International Medical Congress of Armenia was a great success. Be it for the chosen venue (Hotel Marriott/Armenia), the logistics, the smiling and welcoming hostesses during registration, the lectures held in comfortable and air-conditioned halls, the audio-visual equipment (and the simultaneous translation), or for the regularity of coffee-breaks, the luncheon buffets and the evening social events, the organizing committee led by Dr. Ara Ter Grigorian deserves our congratulations.

524 health care professionals attended the Conference, 280 from Armenia, 22 from Karabagh and the rest from the Diaspora; the strongest contingent came

from the United-States (46), followed by Canada (30), France and Iran (20), 10 from Russia, 8 from Germany and 6 from England according to information gathered from Dr. A. Ter Grigorian.

Even if the Diaspora list is not complete, the number of attendees was certainly below the expectations. It was gratifying, however, to see how much the Diasporan presence was a family affair: children and elderly accompanying persons were numerous in the tours arranged by the organizers. The other gratifying note was the fact that many Diasporan attendees, taking advantage of their presence in Armenia, brought aide and help in various ways – for some for the first time in their lives- to the country. Some were there before the Conference, others stayed longer afterwards. We will give more details on their activities in forthcoming issues of the Info-Flash.

 

- The inaugural ceremony and the plenary sessions. 

 

 

The inaugural ceremony was highlighted by the welcoming words sent by the President of the Republic and by the Catholicos of All Armenians, which were read by their representatives. President Kocharian saw in the organization of the Congress in Armenia an important sign, hoping it would launch a new century of cooperation between Armenia and the Diaspora; during the History of the country, the role, the socio-cultural image, and the influence of the physicians had been crucial. The Catholicos ended his word with a prayer for the success of the Conference.

 

These two ceremonial speeches were followed by the words of the ministers of Health, of Social Affairs, of Science and Research and of AMIC’s President. Interestingly, all the speeches had a common theme: the desire to improve the health of the population and the desire to make of Armenia the country having the most developed health care system in its region. To achieve that, 800 students were getting specialized training abroad, and the collaboration and advice of the Diaspora were welcome.

 

- The first plenary session of July 1, 2003.

 

Dr. Haik Tarpinian, Deputy Minister of Health explained the current situation with a PowerPoint presentation. Armenia inherited the problems of the soviet system: an extreme centralization, the lack of preventive policies and deficient health structures in the regions. The government had to struggle against the worsening of the health care system, against the lack of financing and the inaccessibility of health care. The objectives of the reforms undertaken were to radically change the health care and the education systems. The work yet to be done is enormous; however some results have already been reached: a decrease of 40% in infant mortality. A decrease of post-partum mortality. The reduction of epidemics: the poliomyelitis had been eradicated according to the WHO. Efforts are now made in three areas: human resources, finances and the fight against infectious diseases and epidemics. The input of the Diaspora is crucial in all domains.

The Minister of Health, Dr. Norayr Davidian described the help received from abroad and from the Diaspora. He named the most active Armenian medical associations in Armenia (UMAF/France and especially UMAF/Paris, AMAG from Germany, AMA of Boston, A.I.D.A.’s and the Karagheuzian Foundation dentists, ophthalmologists (EyeCare Project), the Carolann and Georges Najjarian Foundation etc..).

Dr. Richard Aghbabian’s presentation followed these conferences, with the “Lessons Learned from Recent Disasters Including the WTC on 9/11”. Then Dr. Vartkes Najjarian who gave an assessment of Medical Outreach activities since 1985: orthopedic care, pediatric cardiac care, equipment and medicine distribution).

 

- The second plenary session of July 2, 2003.

 

The session was marked by the presentations of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, Mr. Vartan Oskanian, of AMIC’s President, Dr. Jean Arakelian, and of six other specialists.

Minister Oskanian placed the happening of the Congress in the framework of the broader Armenia/Diaspora relationship, and situated it as a consequence of the two Armenia/Diaspora Congresses held in previous years, as is the case of other conferences of specialists to be held during the 2003 summer. It is thus proven that these relations are on a dynamic path, and are becoming undeniably important.

The Minister underlined that Armenia is facing three challenges: 1) the

consolidation/strengthening of the State, 2) the Karabagh situation and 3) the

safeguard of the Armenian identity of the Diaspora. The Diaspora’s collaboration was encouraged with respect to all three. In his conclusion, he reiterated the idea voiced several times by other Armenian officials: that Armenia would become in the next ten years the most important medical center of the region.

 

The President of AMIC, Dr. Jean Arakelian gave a historical overview of the organization’s creation with a PowerPoint presentation, giving details on the objectives and the achievements of the Committee. He underlined that the dream of meeting in Armenia had been achieved thanks to the agreement signed between AMIC and the Ministry of Health which agreement stipulated that the holding of these meetings would take place every two years alternating between Armenia and the Diaspora. The immediate challenge faced by AMIC was the launching of its Journal in autumn, 2003 or at the beginning of 2004, and its permanent objectives continue to be its commitment to help Armenian authorities to upgrade the health situation of the population.

 

Among the other speakers, Dr. Sevag Avakian explained the achievements of the “Center of the Bone Marrow Donor’s Armenian Register” that he manages in Armenia. The project started in 1999 and has as its main objective the development of a registry of potential Armenian donors of spinal marrow, necessary for the treatment of certain diseases. Two recruiting laboratories situated one in Yerevan and the other in Los Angeles (United States) have between them a list of 5 700 volunteers. Out of 155 Armenian cases, 17 had been treated thanks to listed donors whose DNA were compatible.

 

Dr. H. Hakobyan and Mrs. Rita Balian made a presentation, with a film, of the Women Wellness Center and the work done by the Mammography Center. More than 43 000 women had been screened there and more than 1000 received treatment and are surviving to their illnesses.

Dr. Anahit Demirchyan presented the project undertaken by the American University of Armenia and Nork Marache Hospital. Mrs. Daderian-Huckabay gave the very interesting results of a field study done on the health situation of Armenian immigrants living in Southern California.

 

Dr. Zareh Ouzounian gave a colorful presentation in PowerPoint of the on-going  AMIC/AUA project, which has resulted in the creation of a web site (already on line) where the health projects undertaken and financed by the Diaspora in Armenia and Karabagh since 1988 will be fully posted and evaluated.

 

- The final plenary session

 

On Thursday, July 4, the final session united the presidents of all the workshops held during the two preceding afternoons; they gave assessment of the work done in these workshops that were dedicated to the following scientific themes:

 

·        Public Health: management and organization

·        Primary Health Care: seven communications were presented by foreign experts working in Armenia, who had been very critical for the lack of family clinics in the country.

·        Gynecology, Mother And Child Health: 70 experts were present and 15 communications presented. This workshop recommended to have regularly held medical congresses and especially of specialized medical disciplines.

·        Tuberculosis: 45 experts had participated to the workshop.

·        Psychiatry And Neurology: 3 American participants (of whom Dr. H. Grigorian of New York), and 6 from Armenia had discussed the similarities and differences between courses taught in the USA and Armenia.

·        Stomatology: it was organized with the help of A.I.D.A.’s dentists

·        Surgery/Traumatology: 60 specialists had participated.

·        Oncology/Radiology: 90 attendees and 14 communications among which those of Dr. Bedikian (United-States) and Dr. Yerzingatzian (Zambia).

·        Medical Education: during which “for the first time medical education was openly debated”.

·        Nursing: it was convened before the Congress, and lasted a whole day. Info-Flash will try to give more details about this workshop in its next issues.

 

This presentation was followed by the speeches of academicians (Karlen Adamian, president of the Council of the Preparation of the Proceedings) and other officials where the highly diverging opinions of the officials and specialists of health care reform, past and future, were apparent.  With these congresses, it was suggested to hold round tables uniting experts on the problems hampering the health care system in Armenia.

 

During the Congress, tours were offered towards various historical and religious sites of the country; an extensive tour of 3 days for Karabagh was organized at the end of the Conference. Although emotions were high for the participating “tourists”, these tours would gain in professionalism and seriousness if the announced (and paid for) programs were better respected and delivered.

 

 

3- An Ophthalmology project in Armenia: Eye-Care Project.[3]

 

The Armenian Eye-Care Project is a United-States non-profit organization dedicated to the elimination of preventable blindness and making eye care accessible to all adults and children in Armenia. The AECP was established in 1992 to provide medical training and treatment on a semi-annual surgical mission basis.

 

In 2002, the AECP established its permanent presence in Yerevan, and announced its Seven-Year Initiative, ”Bringing Sight to Armenian Eye”. The initiative is a five-point comprehensive program incorporating direct patient care, medical training and education, public education and awareness, research, and building capacity in the Armenian eye care delivery system.

On 17 October 2003, the AECP has sponsored its Ninth Annual Armenian-American Congress of Ophthalmology at the S. Malayan Ophthalmologic Center (Republican Eye Hospital), Yerevan. Participants included representatives of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia, international organizations and NGOs working in the area of eye care, as well as leading Armenian ophthalmologists. Also participating were a large delegation of leading US ophthalmologists led by Dr. Roger Ohanesian, President of the Armenian Eye Care Project. The Ninth Congress focused on the elimination of treatable forms of blindness in Armenia. The participants discussed the possibility of establishing an Eye Bank in Armenia, which will be dedicated to the restoration of sight through the promotion and advancement of corneal transplantation, research, and education.

At the Congress, the AECP shared its experiences in providing modern eye care in Armenia through its Mobile Eye Hospital (MEH). On October 13, the AECP launched its third MEH mission to Armenia’s regions as part of the direct patient care component of its new Initiative. Through December 9, the MEH will provide eye care services to the residents, as well as free surgery and laser treatment to those most in need. Dr. Roger Ohanesian, along with his US colleagues will travel to Echmiadzin to work with Armenian specialists on the MEH.

From June through September, 2003, the AECP funded screening and MEH missions to the Aragatsotn and Vayots Dsor marzes provided free screening services to more than 12 000 persons. Of those seen, approximately

2 000 cases, including the elderly and children, were identified and referred to the MEH for additional eye care. Physicians operated on 500 of these patients, primarily for blinding cataracts, and more than 200 patients received laser treatment.

 

 

4- UMAF/Paris activities in Armenia from 2000 to 2002[4]

 

 

From 2000 to 2002, UMAF activities could be classified in the following categories:

- The program “SOS-Hands in Yerevan”, the “pediatric dispensary of Spitak” and the “Partnership Between the Beaujon Hospital and the Mikaelian Institute” program.

- The traditional sending of medical equipments and medicines

- To these activities one must add the various congresses (Uzbekistan, Russia, Canada), medical conferences in Armenia, “medical or cultural evenings” in France, as well as two very interesting innovations: a program put in place through the services of the French Embassy in Armenia and the Public Assistance Hospitals of Paris (PAHP), and the important project of building a hospital in Stepanakert in conjunction with the Armenian Fund of the United-States.

 

 

1)      “SOS-Hands” in operation in the Mikaelian Institute since April, 2001, is an emergency unit of hand surgery. Six French surgeons have gone to Armenia in 10-day missions, in order to train Armenian specialists. To this day 165 interventions and 425 free screenings have been made. The entire program is financed by UMAF/Paris.

 

2)      “The pediatric dispensary of Spitak”, opened in November, 2001, and offers free health care to needy children. A director runs the dispensary, which has a staff of two pediatricians, two dentists, a dental assistant and a secretary, with the salaries being all paid by UMAF/Paris. Spitak’s mayor offered the location. The Armenian Protestant Church of France renovated it and took  charge the administrative follow up. The necessary medications are bought in Armenia and donated by UMAF/Paris.

 

3)      “The Partnership Between Beaujon Hospital and the Mikaelian Institute is being pursued after the completion of a hepatology program over 3 years. In April, 2001, a new 3 year program was agreed on by the two institutions. This time the objective is more general in scope. It concerns particularly the logistics of the hospital and aims at reinforcing the efficiency of the administrative, technical, medical and nursing personnel. This new partnership is to be realized through short missions to the Institute, training stages in Beaujon Hospital, and by the expedition of equipment.

 

4)      Between 2000 and 2001 UMAF/Paris has sent more than 270 cubic meters of medico-surgical equipment to Armenia and Karabagh, directly reaching the Mikaelian Institute, Stepanakert, Spitak, the Yeghnadjour dispensary, the Gumri maternity etc.. The equipment recuperated from PAHP consisted of: 2 entirely renovated ambulances sent toYerevan and the other to Stepanakert, dialysis machines, artificial respirators, ultrasound machines, and important quantities of consumable goods.

 

5)      In coordination with PAHP and hospitals of Armenia, and with the support of the ministries of health both countries and the French Embassy in Armenia, a new program has been put in place. The program includes the training of medical managers in Armenia, of medical and non-medical personnel in France, with a stipend for those staying in France and the delivery of a certificate of specialization on completion. The different stages of the training will take one to two years. The candidates presenting themselves to the training cycles in France will be chosen by a Franco-Armenian jury at the French Embassy in Yerevan. Presently 6 candidates have been selected and are in Paris, one in general surgery, two in gynecology, one in ORL, one in psychiatry and one in pediatric thoracic surgery.

 

6)      The other innovative project undertaken by UMAF/Paris consists in sponsoring the opening of a hospital service once the construction of a new hospital in Stepanakert is achieved, thanks to the Armenian Fund of the USA. In this big project necessitating the collaboration of many medical and non-medical associations, UMAF/Paris, taking advantage of its long working experience in Armenia, would take responsible for equipping an emergency surgical ward.

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

    

       


[1] Dr. Carolann Najarian was unanimously elected Editor in Chief of AMIC’s Journal.

[2] This article was written by Aida Boudjikanian on behalf of AMIC’s Executive. It is documented by handwritten notes taken during the plenary sessions and by her personnel experience of the main events and social activities organized during the Conference. Info-Flash would gladly receive from all its readers who have attended the Conference and who would like to communicate their own experiences or assessment to send their remarks by e-mail or by fax to AMIC’s office. E-mail  amic@cam.org Fax (514) 738 2622. We will publish them in the next Info, unless advised otherwise. 

[3] This report was sent to the Info-Flash by Mrs. Gohar Khojayan, Public Education Director of the Eye-Care Project in Armenia.

[4] This article is a synthesis/abstract extracted of different articles published in the UMAF Journals.