Main
News
The Little Child from Artsakh Making Positive Progress
About health
News
For specialists
For patients
Announcement

The Little Child from Artsakh Making Positive Progress
04 July 23

 

One-year-old Monte, who was transported from Artsakh to Armenia by helicopter, is showing positive progress and we remain hopeful for his full recovery without any lasting effects. 

The team at "Arabkir" Medical Center is dedicated to providing the best possible care for all our patients in need, including little Monte.

We would like to highlight that last week, Biayna Sukhudyan, the head of the Neurology and Epileptology service of "Arabkir" MC, returned to Artsakh with the assistance of the Red Cross. She has been in Artsakh for two months since the day before the blockade. There are no pediatric neurologists in Artsakh, while the demand for their services is high.

Thank you, dear doctors!
Thank you, Azatutyun Radio Station!

  • Monte is still being cared for in the intensive care unit, but what is important is that he has regained consciousness, opened his eyes, is able to move his arms and legs, and sometimes watches cartoons.

On June 24th, a one-year-old baby from Artsakh was transported by helicopter in an extremely critical state, with the assistance of Russian peacekeepers. During that time, the Hakari checkpoint was closed by the Azerbaijani side even for seriously ill patients. The helicopter carrying Monte landed in Sisian, where the specially equipped resuscitation vehicle from the "Arabkir" Medical Center was awaiting for his arrival. 
 

"Upon admission, Monte’s condition was severe, presenting with brain inflammation and impaired consciousness and motor functions," explained Ashot Gyulbudaghyan, the head of the intensive care and resuscitation department of the "Arabkir" Medical Center. 
 

According to Gyulbudaghyan, during the child's initial treatment at the "Arevik" Children's Hospital in Stepanakert, attempts were made to manage his condition through remote consultations. However, it eventually became clear that this approach was not feasible. The child was initially admitted with tonsillitis, but the virus later entered the nervous system, affecting the brain.
 

"This child specifically required antiviral medicine, of which there was only one or two available," stated the head of the resuscitation department of the "Arabkir" Medical Center.

"We needed certain specific tests that are only conducted in Armenia," said Ani Sharyan, a pediatric neurologist at the "Arabkir" Medical Center.
 

The resuscitation, neurology, and rehabilitation specialists have already initiated their work. The doctors of "Arabkir" emphasize that the baby's life is no longer in danger and they hope that a complete recovery will not be delayed.

Various specialists approach the small bed named "Monte" one by one, conducting rehabilitation and neurological exercises.

In Artsakh, the shortage of neurologists is a particularly pressing issue, as emphasized by pediatric neurologist Ani Sharyan. Since 2011, the specialists of the medical center have been regularly visiting Artsakh for consultations. However, the closure of the roads has further  complicated the situation. A few days ago, Biayna Sukhudyan, the head of the neurological department, arrived in Stepanakert again with the assistance of the Red Cross.
 

Only parents can truly know what it means to wait hopelessly with a child who has a serious health condition.

Monte's father, Karen Grigoryan stated, "In the afternoon, we were informed that the child would be transported to Armenia. We got ready, then we were informed that there are problems on the Azerbaijani side, with the air route not being opened. Negotiations were conducted throughout the night, and at 10 o'clock in the morning, the air route was finally opened. We were then transported to Yerevan by helicopter."
 

Monte's parents endured a day of waiting in Stepanakert, as their child was already experiencing seizures, hoping for permission from the Azerbaijani side to allow the child to be airlifted to Yerevan. Karen Grigoryan, the father, has yet to see the child in the intensive care unit. He only imagines his face with a smile, reminiscent of happier times before the unfortunate tonsillitis.

The medical staff updates the parents twice a day on the child's health condition and occasionally permits the mother to visit her son.
"As soon as I utter a word, the child starts crying, and I leave,” said Narine Melkumyan, the mother. 
 

Karen and Narine are waiting for their son's recovery in the accommodation provided by the hospital. They hope that a land or air journey will take the three of them to Martakert in a good mood.

Last news
Նոյեմբերի 14-ը շաքարախտի դեմ պայքարի համաշխարհային օրն է
14 November
Ի պատիվ կանադացի գիտնականի` 2007 թվականից նրա ծննդյան օրը հռչակվեց որպես շաքարախտի դեմ պայքարի համաշխարհային օր: Գիտնականը, առաջին անգամ ինսուլին ներարկելով, փրկել էր 14-ամյա տղայի կյանքը։ Շաքարախտի վերաբերյալ մարդկանց հուզող հարցերը շատ են: Տարածված մտահոգություններին անդրադարձել է «Արաբկիր» բժշկական համալիրի էնդոկրինոլոգիական ծառայության ղեկավար Իրինա Մարությանը:Մրգերի շաքարը նույնքան վնասակա՞ր է, որքան սպիտակ շաքարը:Ո՜չ, սպիտակ շաքարը ավելի վնասակար է, քանի որ մրգի շաքարը հիմնականում ֆրուկտոզա է: Եթե չափով օգտագործենք ճիշտ ժամերին` ըստ ինսուլինի ազդեցության, վնասակարությունը էականորեն կնվազի:Ճի՞շտ է, որ շաքարախտը միայն ավել քաշ ունեցող մարդկանց մոտ է ախտորոշվում:Ո՜չ։ Մենք տարբերում ենք դիաբետի երկու տիպեր` առաջին և երկրորդ։ Առաջինը հանդիպում է երեխաների մոտ։ Դա աուտոիմուն խնդիր է։ Ինչ խոսք, ցանկալի է, որ ավել քաշ չունենան, բայց այս պարագայում քաշը որևէ նպաստող գործոն չէ հիվանդության առաջացման համար։ Երկրորդ տիպի պարագայում հավելյալ քաշը մեծացնում է առաջացման հավանականության ռիսկը։Դիաբետը չի բուժվում, բայց կարո՞ղ է լիովին վերահսկվել:Այո՜, այն բուժելի չէ, բայց կարելի է լիովին վերահսկել:Արդյոք սթրեսը բարձրացնում է արյան շաքարը:Շաքարախտ ունեցող մարդկանց մոտ սթրեսը կարող է բարձրացնել արյան մեջ գլյուկոզայի մակարդակը և վատացնել շաքարախտի ընթացքը:Էնդոկրինոլոգ Իրինա Մարությանը հորդորում է հետևել մարմնի քաշին, ֆիզիկական ակտիվությանը և օգտագործել առողջ սնունդ: Վաղ ախտորոշումը նպաստում է հիվանդության վարման արդյունավետությանը: Շաքարային դիաբետը ոչ թե հիվանդություն, այլ ապրելակերպ է:
When Work Becomes a Calling
13 November
Sergey Babloyan, urologist-surgeon at the Arabkir Medical Center, was a guest on the “Lav Bjishk” (“Good Doctor”) podcast, where he spoke about his decision to become a doctor, his first surgery, the influence of his father, Professor Ara Babloyan, kidney transplantation, and the balance between life and work.
November 12 — World Pneumonia Day
12 November
To raise public awareness about pneumonia, Gevorg Boyajyan, Head of the Pulmonology and Pediatrics Department of the Arabkir Medical Center, answers common questions asked by parents.Does pneumonia occur only in winter? No. Severe cases of pneumonia can also occur in summer — and in some cases, may even be more severe than those seen in winter.Do children with pneumonia always have a fever? One of the main signs of pneumonia is a high fever lasting three days or more. In 97% of cases, an elevated temperature is present. The belief that a temperature of 37.2°C is “a pneumonia temperature” is incorrect.Is treatment less effective when managed at home? According to international guidelines, many children can be safely and effectively treated for pneumonia at home, as long as they do not have any signs of severe illness.Does vaccination fully protect against pneumonia? Pneumococcal vaccination significantly reduces the likelihood of developing pneumonia and also makes the disease milder if a child does become ill.Is pneumonia a contagious disease? The contagiousness of pneumonia is very low.To reduce the risk of the disease, Dr. Boyajyan emphasizes the importance of a healthy lifestyle, timely vaccination, and dressing children appropriately to avoid overheating. He also highlights the role of proper nutrition and strongly advises against smoking in the presence of a child. Cigarette smoke damages a child’s airways, making them more susceptible to infections.
Marine Grigoryan Awarded Certificate of Professional Excellence by the Open Medical Institute
10 November
On October 19–25, 2025, an international seminar on pediatric radiology was held in Salzburg, Austria — an event that takes place once every four years. Marine Grigoryan, Head of the Diagnostic Imaging Service at Arabkir Medical Center, and radiologist Ani Sargsyan presented to the international medical community rare congenital pathologies encountered in their practice — cases so uncommon that they occur in only one person out of a million. The professional team of Arabkir Medical Center shared their analyses and experience in diagnosing and managing such rare conditions. During the seminar, Marine Grigoryan was awarded a Certificate of Professional Excellence by the Open Medical Institute. “This is the result of teamwork,” noted Marine Grigoryan. “The support and encouragement of the team play a major role in the professional growth and development of each individual. This success once again proves that we should never stop at what we’ve achieved — we must continue learning, improving, and seizing every opportunity to gain new knowledge in service of children’s health.” The achievements recognized on international platforms demonstrate that pediatric medicine in Armenia continues to develop in line with global scientific standards.
International Day of Radiology
08 November
130 years ago, on this very day — November 8 — a German scientist discovered X-rays. In 2012, several international organizations declared November 8 as International Day of Radiology to honor this groundbreaking discovery. This day is another opportunity to express our gratitude to all radiology specialists who, with their knowledge, responsibility, experience, and dedication, make accurate diagnoses and contribute to saving lives every single day. We warmly congratulate all radiologists on their professional holiday and wish them continued scientific and professional success!
Work Continues on the Implementation of the Organ and Tissue Transplant Program from Deceased Donors
03 November
At the invitation of the Arabkir Medical Center, doctors from Great Britain are visiting Armenia: Professor Nizam Mamode, a transplant surgeon, and Benjamin Ivory, an anesthesiologist and intensive care specialist, who also heads the UK’s national organ transplant education system. A meeting was held at the Arabkir Medical Center between leading British and Armenian specialists to discuss the procedures for diagnosing brain death, training models, and organizational aspects of the program. On November 4, the British specialists will meet with Anahit Avanesyan, Minister of Health of the Republic of Armenia. Two working groups have been established under the Ministry of Health to focus on brain death diagnosis and the transplantation of organs and tissues from deceased donors. UK experts will collaborate with Armenian specialists to support the development and implementation of this new system. As part of the visit, additional discussions on organ transplantation are scheduled for November 6 at the Arabkir Medical Center.