Armenia Fund USA, Inc.
152 Madison Ave, S-803
New York, NY 10016, U.S.A.
T/1-212-689-5307
F/1-212-689-5317
e-mail/ info@armeniafundusa.org
Armenia Fund USA Restores Neurosurgical Division of Astvatsatsin
Hospital in Yerevan
~Building on the successful maintenance of somatic division of the same
hospital~
NEW YORK, New York – Armenia Fund USA (Fund), East Coast Affiliate of
Hayastan Himnadram All-Armenian Fund, is pleased to announce that much
needed renovation works to restore the neurosurgical division of the
Astvatsatsin Hospital, Yerevan, Armenia, have started in April, 2006. The
project is a continuation of the previous restoration works done for the
somatic division (a division for children with issues such as malnutrition,
lack of normal growth and other developmental physical conditions) of the
same hospital. Having started last year, the project was brought to its
successful completion through the generous contribution of Mr. Agop
Giritliyan – an Armenian philanthropist from Istanbul where he is well-known
for his assistance to more than 5,000 promising Armenian students.
Agop Giritliyan’s generosity has restored not only two of the most critical
wings of the hospital, but, most importantly, the hope of the children and
staff of Astvatsatsin Hospital for a better quality of healthcare service.
The hospital which provides care for children from ages two to eighteen is
also considered to be the primary emergency care provider in the region.
Built in 1982 and not having undergone any kind of renovation since Soviet
times, the hospital represented an example of a construction in deplorable
conditions suggesting an image of a place to die rather then heal. With Mr.
Giritliyan’s generous support, Armenia Fund USA’s undertaking of the
restoration of this critically important healthcare center was a step to
meet immediate healthcare needs of many children in Armenia.
The renovation of the somatic division last year was implemented in parallel
with a World Bank initiative to moderately renovate the first two floors of
the hospital. This year, building on the success and well-maintenance of the
infrastructure, Mr. Giritliyan is undertaking the renovation of the
neurosurgical division of the children’s hospital. The project is scheduled
to be completed by August 25 of 2006. The state-of-the-art renovation of the
division is a bold initiative to take the provision of adequate healthcare
service to a different level for children who are in desperate need.
The right of every child and adult to proper healthcare, established by
multiple international protocols and conventions, still remains an
unaccomplished task for thousands of children in Armenia and Karabakh. The
Fund’s initiative of renovating the children’s hospital in Yerevan is a
working example of how Armenia Fund USA collaborates with its donors who
have specific philanthropic goals in mind and choose a direction in their
efforts to make a difference. The Fund’s other projects in the area of
public health and medical care include the Armine Pagoumian Polyclinic and
Diagnostic Center in Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh.
Armenia Fund USA has distinguished itself by implementing projects ranging
from grassroots development to specific problem-solving initiatives. With
the support of its donors and constituents, the Fund will continue in its
mission of improving lives by building foundations that will sustain the
economic growth and stability of the country and its people.
ABOUT ARMENIA FUND USA: ARMENIA FUND USA, founded in 1992, was one of the
first of Hayastan All-Armenian Fund’s 18 international affiliates and serves
constituents in all states east of the Mississippi. As a non-profit,
non-governmental, nonsectarian organization, the Fund represents all
Armenian constituents.
Armenia Fund USA is the largest contributor among the 18 international
affiliates – supporting strategic infrastructure projects in Armenia and
Karabakh, and having helped build 138 miles of roads, 100 miles of
waterways, 36 schools, 3 electric transmission networks, 210 residential
buildings and 15 healthcare institutions.
Armenia Fund USA’s Mission is the development of strategic socio-economic
infrastructure in Armenia and Karabakh, focusing on major projects such as
major highways, schools, drinking water to communities and humanitarian
programs in education, training and medical facilities. The Fund has adopted
a policy to go “Beyond Bricks and Mortar” to provide sustainability for
projects it sponsors.