PRESS RELEASE
Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) – Yerevan Office
53-55 Pavstos Buzand Street, 0010
Yerevan, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Inessa Grigoryan
Tel: (+374 10) 522076; 562068
Fax: (+374 10) 522076
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
Children of Armenia Fund – New York Office
162 Fifth Avenue, Suite 900,
New York, NY 10010, USA
Contact: Samantha Wagar
Tel: 212 – 994 – 8234
Fax: 212 – 994 – 8299
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
COAF Improves Access to
Oral Health and Dental Care in Rural Armenia
Residents of Karakert and Neighboring Communities
Celebrate the Opening of a Brand-new Dental Unit
December 18, 2009, Karakert, Armavir District * On December 3, 2009 the
Dental Unit of the Karakert Health Clinic opened its doors to local
residents and to the population of the communities in the Model Cluster
Comprehensive Rural Development Program, launched and implemented by the
Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) in the Armavir District of Armenia since
early 2006. The establishment of the dental unit was made possible
through the initiative of COAF and financial support from Newman’s Own
Foundation.
Participating in the opening ceremony were Dr. Garo Armen, COAF Founder
and Board Chairman, Dr. Larisa Muradyan, Deputy Governor of Armavir, Dr.
Nora Nercessian, COAF Chief Advisor, mayors of the Model Cluster
communities, COAF-Armenia staff, and representatives of partner
organizations within the framework of COAF health programs.
In his opening speech, Dr. Armen highlighted the urgency of improving
access to oral health and dental care especially in Karakert, one of
COAF’s largest villages, where dental issues were among the first health
problems to be revealed. As recent school survey data show, over 95% of
rural schoolchildren are impaired by teeth decay. "We are proud to
witness the tremendous changes that have occurred in this village and in
the neighborhood over the past years. Thanks to the continuous
commitment from COAF donors and partners, we have been able to bring
back smiles to these wonderful people, and children, in particular. And
with the launching of this beautiful facility, these smiles will shine
even brighter than before".
In line with its integrated approach, COAF’s strategy for development
and health care includes modernization of facilities and equipment,
professional development and community health education, with an
emphasis on primary and preventive care. The program ensures that each
renovated health clinic provides full access to sustainable and
high-quality medical services for the whole population and raises public
awareness and responsibility towards personal and public health.
The newly launched Karakert Dental Unit is equipped in accordance with
the most up-to-date standards, all the necessary medical supplies and
comfortable furnishings. Dental care is provided by Dr. Gevorg
Ghazaryan, a certified and qualified dentist, who will continue to
update his professional skills through continuing dental trainings in
the capital of Yerevan. Dr. Ghazaryan commented that "The clinic is so
well equipped that it enables me to treat the most complex cases. For
the moment, our most important and challenging task is to encourage the
local population to take responsibility for their own dental care and
health in general.
The event concluded with a statement made by Dr. Aida Davtyan, Family
Physician and Head of the Karakert Health Clinic, who announced to the
public and media: "We could only dream of having such a dental clinic in
our village. It is, indeed, a true gift not only for Karakert, but for
neighboring communities as well. With COAF’s supervision, we are happy
to support children in receiving free-of-charge dental care and
contribute to the prevention of dental problems among the
population-locally and regionally."
# # # #
About COAF
The Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) is a non-profit organization,
founded in 2003, that aims to reduce poverty through the revitalization
of rural Armenia and the realization of projects that are instrumental
for the development of rural children and youth. With the introduction
of its novel approach to clustering in February 2006, COAF is currently
implementing the "Model Cluster" Comprehensive Rural Development Program
working in six villages in Baghramyan Region of Armavir District. The
key components of COAF’s Model Cluster comprise community development
including Health, Social and Education Programs, as well as
Infrastructure Rehabilitation and Economic Development. For the past six
years, about 22,000 rural residents and over 4,600 children from Argina,
Dalarik, Lernagog, Karakert, Miasnikian and Shenik have benefited from
COAF’s continuous development efforts and improved schools,
kindergartens, health clinics, sport complexes, community and
psycho-social centers, capacity building trainings and workshops and
multi-faceted business development opportunities.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
