ArmenPress
March 29 2004

COMPREHENSIVE SOCIAL SERVICES CENTER OPENS IN VANADZOR

VANADZOR, MARCH 29, ARMENPRESS: UN Coordinator and UNDP Resident
Representative, Lise Grande, USAID Armenia Mission Director, Keith
Simmons, labor and social affairs minister Aghvan Vardanian, Lori
governor Henrik Kochinian, other officials and dignitaries attended
today the inauguration of the first Social Services Center Under One
Roof in Vanadzor, the capital of Lori. Addressing the present,
minister Vardanian expressed hope that after a successful test such
centers will be established in other Armenian regions as well.
The Center that hosts offices of five various social services- the
regional and territorial social security offices, the government-run
social security Fund, territorial employment centers, a medical
examination commission as well as a representation of 31
non-governmental local organizations, became possible thanks to
collaborated efforts of the UNDP and PADCO organization.
From now on the residents of Vanadzor will have not to travel from
one agency to another to seek solutions to their diverse social
problems. The Center, run by a trained staff is equipped with modern
computers and other devices to facilitate the process of paper
processing apart from a variety of booklets and guidebooks to help
applicants seek the required information.
Another peculiarity is application of modern software allowing
speedy online information exchange among offices, housed by the
Center.
High-ranking officials visited also a local charity canteen and
departed then to the village of Dsekh that is going to have what is
known as Family Doctor.