YEREVAN HOSTS ARMENIAN-FRENCH FORUM OF CARDIOLOGISTS

ARMENPRESS
Nov 1, 2007

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS: First Lady, Mrs. Bella Kocharian and
France’s ambassador to Armenia, Serge Smessow, were present today at
the opening of the first French-Armenian forum of cardiologists.

The gathering is featuring some leading French and Armenian doctors
who will share their experience and new approaches towards treating
cardio diseases.

The ambassador spoke highly of French-Armenian cooperation in this
area saying the forum is the summary of their 10-year cooperation,
which was launched in 1996 by a joint heart surgery in Yerevan
Nork-Marash Hospital.

Later several Armenian heart surgeries had intensive training course
at the best French clinics.

Avetik Matikian, chairman of the French-Armenian Benevolent
Origination, said French authorities plan to help establish a heart
diseases center in Armenia in addition to three operating ones,
but the new one will be mainly for residents of regions.

Over 1,500 heart operations are performed by doctors of Nork-Marash
Center annually. Experts say although this kind of operations are not
affordable to many Armenians with heart diseases, prices in Armenia
are the lowest in the world.

Heart diseases are number one death cause in Armenia.