2022 Annual Report
Healthcare
During 2022, FAR’s Health Program team carried on with the important work that elevates the quality of the Armenia’s healthcare system and which continues to help lead in efforts to offer crucial support and long-term investment in public health measures.
For more than 30 years, Dr. Saribekyan has worked at Chambarak Community Medical Center of Gegharkunik Province as a pediatrician, serving more than 3,000 patients from 11 communities.
In June, she trained at Arabkir Medical Center in Yerevan. CME helped her enhance her knowledge and establish a network of trustworthy healthcare providers based in Yerevan who will continually provide her with support.
“Healthcare is an ever-changing field. Advances in medicine, new treatment options, changing regulations and models of care should be available and accessible for healthcare providers for them to remain competent and to provide the best care,” said Dr. Saribekyan.
Dr. Armine Saribekyan
For Dr. Armine Saribekyan lifelong learning is a prerogative for a rural physician who wishes to truly serve her patients and her community.
“Unfortunately, I had my last training some 20 years ago and I have never been able to apply for, let alone afford, another training until I learned about FAR’s Continuing Medical Education Program (CME),” said Dr. Saribekyan who was selected for CME and participated in June 2022.
Highlighted Beneficiary
During 2022, 98 doctors, including 18 from Artsakh, participated in the program. As one of FAR’s most impactful projects, since it start in 2005, CME has enabled a total of 1,293 doctors to improve their practices and, thanks to FAR’s partnership with the Armenian American Health Professionals Organization (AAHPO), including 288 doctors from Artsakh.
CME-supported conferences and trainings also made an impact. Twenty-one doctors from Armenia’s Lori Province participated in a series of trainings on non-communicable diseases during 2022. This training was replicated from the 2020 online series of the same topic for 250 healthcare providers, which was held in Sisian Province during 2021. It will soon be replicated in the Ijevan and Yeghegnadzor regions.
Continuing Medical Education Program (CME)
FAR’s Continuing Medical Education Program (CME) aims to elevate the level of quality and care of the healthcare system by providing opportunities for professional development to doctors who work in rural and under-serviced areas.
Through CME, doctors undergo a month-long mentorship program with doctors in Yerevan during which they can hone their skills, deepen knowledge of their specializations or even explore a new area of focus. CME also allows participants to tap into a large network of healthcare providers long after they’ve completed their trainings.
Community Nurses Training Project
Often the sole healthcare practitioners in Armenia’s more remote and rural communities, Armenia’s nurses are de-facto primary healthcare providers. Therefore equipping nurses with their most relevant skills helps to ensure these communities receive the medical attention they so greatly need.
In 2022, nurses from Armenia’s Berd and Sisian regions, plus Artsakh, participated in a two-week Training of Trainers course in Yerevan which focused on communication and ethical norms, first aid, common cardiovascular diseases, and hygiene practices. Participants then conducted training courses in their local communities.
In addition, as part of the project, 36 nurses from Tavush and Syunik provinces, and 76 nurses from Artsakh completed an online accredited course about the improvement of professional skills of hospital nurses.
Combating Malnutrition Project
FAR’s Combatting Malnutrition Program gives Armenia’s preschools in the Aragatsotn and Tavush Provinces the tools they need to make a significant investment in children’s emotional, cognitive and physical development through improved access to balanced nutrition. During 2022, FAR reached more than 1,600 children, aged 2 to 6 in Aragatsotn, Syunik and Tavush provinces, through the provision of healthy daily meals.
1,600+
children, aged 2 to 6, through the provision of healthy daily school meals
(Combatting Malnutrition)
70
sessions/courses for communities on public health issues conducted
98
physicians participated in the CME Program
(CME)
Healthcare Program
By the Numbers
Dr. Raffy Hovanessian Education Fund
Dr. Richard & Sonya Nersessian Babayan
Levon & Claudia Nazarian Family Foundation
Dadourian Foundation
SJS Charitable Trust
Nazarian Family Foundation
Mardigian Foundation
Armenian American Health Professionals - AAHPO
Armenian Medical Fund