News.am recently interviewed Professor Ara Babloyan regarding the newly established "Union of Medical Institutions of Armenia" Public Organization.
• Yesterday, information was published about the establishment of the "Union of Medical Institutions of Armenia" Public Organization. On June 19, the organization held its inaugural meeting, chaired by Professor Ara Babloyan. NEWS.am Medicine aimed to learn more about this new organization, including its origins, the motivation behind its creation, and its objectives.
Professor Babloyan, how did the idea of creating the "Union of Medical Institutions of Armenia" Public Organization come about?
In my view, the Armenian healthcare system has long needed such an organization. However, the idea first emerged during an extended consultation convened by Minister of Health Anahit Avanesyan. The meeting was held to present and discuss the comprehensive health insurance program. The minister sought the opinions of those directly involved in providing medical care and services.
During the meeting, while the general response from medical institution heads was positive, various questions and perspectives were raised, leading to a productive and meaningful discussion. It was during this exchange that the concept of forming an organization of medical institutions, drawing on international experience, was proposed. The goal was to create an entity that would actively collaborate with the Ministry to ensure the smooth implementation of this crucial project for our country.
What will be the status of the organization?
Initially, a group of initiators was formed to work on defining the organization's purpose, status, management principles, and statutes. The “Union of Medical Institutions of Armenia” Public Organization was registered following the established procedures. Its primary goal is to “support the development of medical institutions and enhance their operational efficiency to contribute to the advancement of the healthcare system in Armenia and the improvement of public health.”
On June 19, the organization held its inaugural extended session, during which several decisions were made to ensure the efficient operation and collaborative management of the organization.
The information indicated that the organization would have a large, expanded board and a five-member presidency. How was this determined, and on what basis?
First, it’s important to consider that Armenia has approximately 600 medical facilities, with about 21% providing inpatient services and 79% offering outpatient care. Additionally, 164 of these facilities are privately operated. All 600 organizations are eligible to become members of the union.
The organization’s secretariat is currently being established, and once complete, all medical institutions will be invited to join the organization.
The highest governing body of the organization is the General Meeting of its members. To ensure collegial management and representation of medical institutions of varying levels and statuses, the Council was approved with 37 members. From this Council, a five-member Presidency was formed. Each member of the Presidency will serve a one-year term in rotation.
Professor Babloyan, you chaired the first session, but you are not included in the published composition of the presidency. Are you a member of the Council?
I have chosen to serve as an advisor to the organization rather than as a member or president. I find it more meaningful to support and consult with my younger colleagues than to hold a formal leadership position.
Our organizational structure reflects a commitment to the collective good over personal interests. It demonstrates our ability to prioritize the health of the public and work together towards advancing our healthcare system.
What are the organization's current priorities?
Our primary focus is on health insurance, the licensing of specialists, and addressing the list of professions and associated educational reforms.
The challenges are numerous and varied, so we must collaborate closely with the Ministry of Health and various professional associations and healthcare organizations. I am confident that, with joint efforts, we will succeed.
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Union of Medical Institutions of Armenia26 June 24
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“Our Goal Is to Provide Accessible and High-Quality Pediatric Medicine, Regardless of a Family’s Means,” Says Ara Babloyan
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The pediatric healthcare system in Armenia is on the verge of significant changes: strengthening primary care, decentralizing services to the regions, introducing the latest medical technologies, and expanding international cooperation.In an interview with Armenpress, Ara Babloyan, pediatrician, Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Scientific Director of Arabkir Medical Center, discussed the sector’s development priorities, the Center’s achievements over the past year, and the challenges currently facing pediatric healthcare.
— Mr. Babloyan, how would you assess the past year for the Center, and what were its most significant achievements?— Arabkir Medical Center is a dynamically developing institution, and our work should be viewed as a continuous process. We constantly review the functions we perform, striving to improve and further develop them, bringing our services to a higher level.
Our activities have several main directions. The first is the provision of daily medical services, including pediatrics, pediatric surgery, otorhinolaryngology (ENT), orthopedics, and other specialties. These services form the foundation of the system.
At the same time, we are actively developing highly specialized fields where we have achieved particularly strong results. In pediatric neurology and neurosurgery, for example, Arabkir has become a leader not only in Armenia but also in the region. We treat patients from abroad, especially from Central Asia, who come to our Center for effective care.
The field of epilepsy is especially important for us. We currently have more than 4,000 patients under our care, which is a considerable number for Armenia. Treatment is primarily medication-based; however, when this approach proves ineffective, we turn to surgical methods.
In this area, we have gone through several stages of development—from traditional open surgeries to the introduction of stereotactic techniques. These methods make it possible to identify the source of the problem within a few days and perform radiofrequency ablation without open surgery. Currently, we are also introducing deep brain stimulation, representing a new stage in the development of epilepsy treatment.
Read the full interview on the Armenpress website.