PRESS RELEASE
The Armenia Fund
Governmental Buiding 3, Yerevan, RA
Contact: Hasmik Grigoryan
Tel: +(3741) 56 01 06 ext. 105
Fax: +(3741) 52 15 05
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
08 April, 2008
Healthcare: The Armenia Fund Upgrades Yerevan Nork Infectious and
Kanaker-Zeitun Hospitals
Yerevan, April 8, 2008 – The Armenia Fund is pleased to announce the
completion of its renovation projects at the Nork Infectious hospital and
Kanaker-Zeitun Medical Center in Yerevan.
The Fund has long acquired a reputation for its commitment to doing several
projects in succession in one establishment, once it has embarked on one;
the projects being based either on the project proposal from the
beneficiary or the wish of the donor. Thus, four renovation projects were
carried out at the Nork Infectious hospital and three at the Kanaker-Zeitun
medical center.
At the beginning of April 2008, renovation of the third and fourth floors of
the four-storied building, the roof, as well as construction of a boiler to
support heating at the Nork hospital were accomplished. The whole project
with the budget of around 62,973,482 AMD was implemented thanks to the
generous funding by the Armenia Fund Brazilian local committee.
Renovation activities at the Nork hospital for 2005-2007 comprised
renovation of the roof, ICU (intensive care unit), pediatric department of
infectious diseases, located accordingly on the first and second floors of
the hospital. The project with the total cost of 59,112,497 AMD was
sponsored through the Armenia Fund Brazilian local committee. Subsequently,
the embassy of Brazil in Yerevan and the Armenia Fund, with the support of
the Armenian Diaspora in Brazil, funded the two-storied building’s heating
system through the construction of a boiler house.
Ara Asoyan, chief infectiologist of the Nork hospital warmly thanked the
Armenia Fund for the thorough work carried out at the hospital and
emphasized the need for adequate clinics and hospitals to support public
health in the country. "We are grateful to the Fund and our friends in
Brazil for what they have done for the hospital. In particular, we
appreciate the way with which the specific needs of the hospital were
considered and taken care of. Good conditions are an important part of
patients’ recovery; however, we should not forget that they also inspire the
medical staff to perform to the best of their abilities" said Mr. Asoyan.
According to the chief infectiologist the hospital has constructed a gas
distribution substation which will support the boiler’s work.
The Armenia Fund Executive Director Vahe Aghabegians was pleased with the
quality of the work done. "The need for good quality healthcare is a
universal issue in Armenia, as it is elsewhere. A number of health
institutions in Yerevan are still falling short of modern standards and the
Armenia Fund’s support is critical in the capital as it is in the regions,"
Mr. Aghabegians said.
"Thanks to proper heating in the wards, our patients have been receiving
appropriate medical service in the last year and a half," pointed out Mr.
Zardaryan, deputy head of the hospital. According to him, 273 patients in
the ICU and 681 in the Pediatric Infectious Unit received treatment in 2007.
A 6-year old boy, Suren Khachatryan, taken to Nork hospital with scarlet
fever, said the room was nice and the doctors were nice to him, but he
wanted to go home "right now" all the same. Mr.Zardaryan said that 793
patients with skin, respiratory and intestinal infections were treated in
the department of infectious diseases in 2007. The unit designed for 60, can
accommodate up to 100 patients. "Rooms are spacious and extra beds are
available, if necessary," he explained. "We certainly want everyone to be in
good health, but at the same time we feel good that now we are in a better
position to provide efficient care."
The most recent renovation project at Kanaker-Zeitun Medical Center was
funded mainly through the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund Great Britain local
committee, with a contribution of 8,345,400 AMD towards the total cost.
Three rooms of the Diagnostics Unit were reconstructed and refurbished using
a donation from Hagop and Sirvart Haroutounian, as well as a donation in
memory of the late Nishan Ohanian. The high standard of hygiene in these
rooms, which now meets Health and Safety standards, is a far cry from the
derelict and crumbling rooms that served no purpose. Hasmik Margaryan, the
head of the department summarised her assessment of the new conditions
saying, "The layout and finished look of the rooms matters a great deal."
The Hayastan All-Armenian Fund’s Great Britain local committee has also
financed three wards in the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit of the
Kanaker-Zeitun Medical Center (2004-2005), in memory of the late Hagop
Klenjian, as well as reconstruction of the Paediatric and Gynaecological
operating rooms and Post-anaesthesia Recovery Units (2005-2007) in memory of
the late Alice Margossian.
"Health care is a priority area for the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund Great
Britain local committee. During these past few years many families have
approached us wanting to donate money for reconstruction of hospitals and
clinics in memory of a late family member. It is not unusual at all to have
one project following another in the same institution, and this is the case
with this medical center," says Armineh Carapeti, Chairperson of the
Hayastan All-Armenian Fund Great Britain local committee.
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Armenia Fund