May is observed as Skin Health Month, a time to raise awareness about the importance of skin care and early diagnosis of skin-related conditions.   On this occasion, we share insights from Dr. Armine Adilkhanyan, Head of the Dermatology Service at Arabkir Medical Center, featured on Shant TV’s “BuzhInfo” program. The topic: Genodermatoses—hereditary skin diseases.   “Hello, my name is Dr. Armine Adilkhanyan. Today I’ll speak about a group of conditions known as hereditary skin diseases, or genodermatoses.  While thankfully rare, these diseases can significantly impact a patient’s health, quality of life, and development. There are currently around 400 known types. Some affect only the skin, while others involve multiple systems, including the nervous system, eyes, and hearing.  Multidisciplinary care is essential—especially in children—where dermatologists work closely with neurologists, ophthalmologists, and other specialists.  For example, neurofibromatosis is one such condition, where early skin symptoms can signal the disease. Proper dermatological evaluation is critical for early diagnosis and management.  Among the better-known genodermatoses are types of ichthyosis, ranging from mild forms to Harlequin syndrome, which has a severe presentation, and epidermolysis bullosa, which varies in severity. In severe cases, even minor trauma can cause painful skin ulcers, affecting mucous membranes and leading to nutritional issues or limb deformities.  Though traditionally considered incurable, advances in medical science offer new hope. Modern treatment methods can significantly improve the lives of affected patients.  While diagnosis is often based on clinical presentation, identifying specific gene mutations plays a crucial role. Unfortunately, many genetic tests are still not available in Armenia.  However, we are proud to collaborate with French-Armenian specialists who support us in diagnosing and treating children with these rare conditions.  It’s vital not to shy away from these diagnoses. Early and consistent care, with the support of professionals, can make a real difference in managing hereditary skin diseases—for patients and their families.”

May 16 marks World Celiac Disease Awareness Day, dedicated to raising awareness about this chronic autoimmune condition. Celiac disease develops due to the body’s immune response to gluten, a protein found in grains such as wheat, rye, and barley. This immune reaction leads to inflammation and damage in the small intestine, impairing nutrient absorption. The condition can be inherited or acquired, and while it may appear at any age, it often presents with:  🔹 Constipation or diarrhea  🔹 Bloating  🔹 Growth delay, short stature, and delayed puberty in children At Arabkir Medical Center, celiac disease remains a key focus for the Gastroenterology Service, with over 100 children currently under supervision for this condition. As part of our commitment to advanced care, our specialists are also participating in the 57th Congress of the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN), where the latest developments in celiac disease management are being discussed. Dr. Siranush Pashinyan, pediatric and adult gastroenterologist at Arabkir, shared her expertise in an interview with Public Television's “News” program:  May 16 is World Celiac Disease Awareness Day. It is an immune disease diagnosed in people with a hereditary predisposition who consume foods containing gluten.  Siranush Pashinyan, a pediatric and adult gastroenterologist at the Arabkir Medical Center, says: "Gluten is a protein found in certain types of grains—wheat, rye, and barley. Most often, people consume it through flour, which contains gluten. When gluten enters the body, the immune system reacts, resulting in chronic inflammation in the intestines. This leads to serious health problems." The disease can manifest at any age, and the symptoms can vary. Siranush Pashinyan continues: "Symptoms include constipation, diarrhea, recurring abdominal pain, and bloating. In older children, for example, growth retardation, short stature, delayed sexual maturation, bone damage, and increased bone fragility due to impaired nutrient absorption may occur. In some cases, the disease can be completely asymptomatic." There are also non-digestive symptoms, such as hair loss and neurological issues. Some diseases can also be associated with celiac disease. So how is it diagnosed. Siranush Pashinyan explains: "The first step is an immunological test called the tissue transglutaminase antibody test. A healthy person who does not have celiac disease is very unlikely to have elevated levels of these antibodies in the blood. A positive result is considered a clinical indicator. The next step is to take biopsies from the gastrointestinal tract." The specialist also notes the primary method of treating celiac disease: maintaining a strict diet. Siranush Pashinyan says: "The only treatment is a gluten-free diet. Gluten must be completely eliminated from the diet. If the patient has pronounced symptoms, positive changes are typically observed within 2–3 weeks." In case of symptoms, self-medication should be avoided, and a doctor should be consulted. Siranush Pashinyan adds: "Our medical center has a pediatric gastroenterology dispensary monitoring service, where children with chronic gastrointestinal diseases up to the age of 18 are monitored. More than 300 children are currently under supervision, over 100 of whom have been diagnosed with celiac disease."  These children are under continuous monitoring to ensure they follow a proper diet and are not deficient in essential vitamins.

Professor Ara Babloyan was a guest on the “Be Healthy” program of the Public TV Company, where the topic of discussion was organ transplantation.   Vahe Ter-Minasyan’s questions and Professor Babloyan’s insights were both informative and valuable. The story of little Tigran was especially moving and inspiring.   Medical science, together with dedicated doctors, gives the gift of life.  

Nurses are one of the indispensable links in any medical team. They play a vital role in patient care, acting as the essential support system for doctors in every step of the treatment process. Their work and dedication are truly invaluable.   We warmly congratulate our dear nurses and all their colleagues, wishing them good health and the opportunity to work in peaceful and supportive conditions.   Be happy in your personal, social, and professional lives. Keep smiling and sharing your smiles, continuing to bring warmth to the hearts of both your young and elderly patients.

On the occasion of Nurses' Day, we highlight the programs of the Center for Excellence in Nursing and Therapy․   The professional nursing team at the "Arabkir" Medical Center—one of the largest in the country—is committed to continuous professional development. They not only undergo regular retraining but also train their colleagues, staying true to the principle that lifelong learning is essential in medical practice.   Watch the coverage by the Public TV Company’s News program.   “We perform chest compressions with two fingers — 100 to 120 compressions per minute.” With this reminder, the resuscitation instructor guides nurses through key steps to restore heart function in infants during emergency scenarios. This scene is part of a professional development course for staff from pediatric resuscitation, intensive care, and hemodialysis departments. The course is organized by the Nursing and Therapists Excellence Center, where continuous learning is prioritized in response to ongoing advances in medical practices and technologies. Shushan Davtyan, Director of the Center, explains: “This is a continuing professional development course accredited by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia. Currently, around 45 nurses are participating in three different programs. We have attendees from various pediatric hospitals in Yerevan and the regions. The regional component is implemented with the support of the Fund for Armenian Relief.” These 24-day courses include both theoretical instruction and hands-on simulation-based training. The initiative was inspired by early collaboration with the Swiss Semra Foundation, which helped train the Arabkir Medical Center nursing staff years ago. That experience revealed the broader national need to challenge outdated views — that nurses are only responsible for administering injections or carrying out physicians' orders — and to highlight their central role in patient care. Naira Avetisyan, Chief Nurse at Arabkir Medical Center and Head of Programs at the Center, highlights: “These courses are also designed to strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, reinforce professional ethics, and — most importantly — emphasize the autonomous role of the nurse.” Among the current group are nurses from Talin, Spitak, and Vayots Dzor, who were sent by their hospitals. Others, working in clinics across Yerevan, are attending on their own initiative to earn continuing education credits. Participants practice skills on mannequins in simulation labs and later apply them in real-life clinical situations. Lena Hovhannisyan, a nurse from the intensive care unit of Vayots Dzor Medical Center, shares: “I’ve been a nurse for 40 years, but I’ve only recently moved into intensive care. We’re learning cardiopulmonary resuscitation, how to work with monitors, defibrillators, and provide artificial respiration.” Luiza Chvchyan, a nurse from the neonatal resuscitation unit at Erebuni Medical Center, adds: “I’ve been working in neonatal resuscitation for about a year. I try to attend every seminar like this — it’s incredibly helpful.” Inside the simulation classroom, nurses are challenged to perform life-saving resuscitation techniques on patient models of different ages — a high-pressure but safe environment to build confidence and refine skills. Throughout the year, the Center will expand its offerings to include specialized trainings for anesthesia nurses, X-ray technicians, and others. It will also conduct periodic courses on emergency response procedures for cardiopulmonary insufficiency and short interventions requiring injections — ensuring that every healthcare professional remains ready to act when every second counts.  

On the occasion of World Asthma Day, the News crew from the Public TV Company visited the “Arabkir” Medical Center to highlight the importance of asthma awareness and management. Dr. Astghik Baghdasaryan, Head of the Respiratory Medicine, Allergology, and Immunology Service, provided expert insights in response to the journalist’s questions.   The “Arabkir” Medical Center remains committed to supporting children living with asthma through a comprehensive approach that includes accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and consistent outpatient follow-up care. Timely medical consultation is essential, and we urge parents to remain vigilant for early symptoms.   We express our sincere gratitude to the Health Fund for Children of Armenia (HFC Armenia) for their continued support in the provision of necessary medications. Deep breaths, long exhalations, exercising on a treadmill. These are part of the diagnostic process for bronchial asthma, a chronic condition often influenced by genetic predisposition and environmental factors. Dr. Astghik Baghdasaryan, Head of the Respiratory Medicine, Allergology, and Immunology Service at the Arabkir Medical Center, explains: “The problem is related to the bronchial tree. If we imagine it as a network of tubes resembling a tree, during asthma episodes, these airways narrow, making it difficult for the child to breathe — particularly to exhale. It takes longer for the air to leave the lungs.”    Asthma typically presents with symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, and crackling sounds in the lungs. Since these symptoms can also be found in other conditions, timely medical evaluation is crucial for an accurate diagnosis. Dr. Baghdasaryan continues: “In preschool-aged children, about one in three may show asthma-like symptoms — wheezing during and outside of viral infections. Many of these children outgrow the condition, but for some, it persists beyond the age of 4 or 5, when we begin to classify it as asthma.”    Various risk factors can contribute to the development of asthma, and exposure to allergens often triggers flare-ups. To identify such allergens, a skin prick test may be recommended. “We perform respiratory allergen tests on the skin to determine whether there is an allergic component involved,” says Dr. Baghdasaryan.   Like other chronic conditions, asthma requires long-term monitoring and management. Early diagnosis and intervention can greatly improve outcomes, and in many cases, children may eventually outgrow the condition. “The main medications used to treat asthma are inhaled therapies,” notes Dr. Baghdasaryan. “Unfortunately, many of these are not registered or available in our country. However, with support from the Health Fund for Children of Armenia and approval from the Ministry of Health, we are able to import and provide these essential medications to children under dispensary supervision.”   To improve asthma care across the country, specialists from Arabkir Medical Center — which holds an international certificate from the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology — are also training regional healthcare providers. This decentralized approach aims to make asthma diagnosis and treatment more accessible within local communities.

The first Tuesday of May marks World Asthma Day. This year’s theme is “Make inhaled treatment accessible to all.” The “Arabkir” Medical Center, together with the Health Fund for Children of Armenia, supports this initiative by showcasing the program implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Health. The goal remains the same: to map asthma across Armenia and decentralize its management, bringing services closer to patients and ensuring that necessary asthma medications are accessible to all children in need. Watch this video featuring Astghik Baghdasaryan, Head of the Respiratory Medicine, Allergology, and Immunology Service at “Arabkir” Medical Center, for more details.

Dear Ara Sayen,   We warmly congratulate you on your birthday and wish you good health and countless successes as you continue your mission for our children—implementing new programs and continuously enriching Armenia’s healthcare system.   Your experience and active support are truly invaluable to young doctors. Your example inspires and motivates us all. Thank you for your dedication. Happy Birthday!

Dear friends, you can now follow the activities of Arabkir Medical Center on Instagram! 🔗 https://www.instagram.com/arabkir_mc/ Stay connected and get reliable health information from our professionals.

Dear friends, do you recognize the kid in the picture? Narek from Goris is one of our most special babies connected with Arabkir Medical Center since he was just 5 days old. Many of you donated for his liver transplant, joining the Health Fund for Children of Armenia and supplementing the amount allocated by the state.  At 6 months old, Narek received the priceless gift of life - part of his father’s liver - and has since been under the constant care of our team and our colleagues in Minsk.   Today, Narek celebrates his first birthday! Here’s a joyful greeting to all of you. Congratulations, dear Narek and his wonderful parents! Thank you to our dedicated doctors, our team, and all the kind people who supported Narek and his family. Your joint efforts have brought about the most precious outcome.   #ArabkirMC #ГУМНПЦ #HFC

“Arabkir” Medical Center urgently needs orderlies.  Required skills:  agility fastidiousness responsibility Duties and responsibilities: Perform the cleaning of the assigned area. Maintain sanitary and hygienic rules.  Schedule: 5 days a week, day-time. To apply, please visit “Arabkir” MC at the following address: Mamikonyants 30 str., Administrative building, Human Resources Department.

Happy Easter!

Since 2005, the "Arabkir" Medical Center has been conducting and submitting various newborn screening programs for state approval, including congenital hypothyroidism, hearing screening, phenylketonuria, and hip dysplasia. Last year, adrenogenital syndrome was added to this list and successfully implemented nationwide.   The goal of these screenings is to examine newborns within the first days of life, often right in the maternity hospital, to detect potential issues early and intervene promptly. Early diagnosis helps prevent complications and disabilities.   Public TV channel "News" recently covered this important topic, highlighting the impact of newborn screening programs.    #neonatalscreening #adrenogenitalsyndrome    

Coverage by Public TV’s “News” on the cooperation between the Arabkir Medical Center and Stony Brook University Hospital (New York), and the symposium organized within that framework.   #ArabkirMC #StonyBrook    

“Arabkir” Medical Center is hiring nurses on a permanent basis, for shift and day work schedules.    Responsibilities: perform the appointments of doctors accurately and fully, with quality and on time, perform the organization of laboratory and instrumental examinations on time, monitor the results, perform therapeutic care of patients, diagnostic, treatment and prevention interventions according to the doctor’s appointment. Requirements: secondary vocational education, kind, friendly and willing to learn.   Advantages: opportunities to work with modern equipment, high-quality materials and instruments, invaluable experience of working in a professional team with doctors, continuous professional development. Trial period. Before becoming a full member of our team, the candidate goes through a 3-month trial period, however, the trial period may be shortened, depending on its course. The trial period helps to get acquainted with the internal regulations of the company and with the performance of work, and gain professional practical and theoretical skills. To apply, send your CV and motivational letter to [email protected].

The Head of the Health and Labor Inspection Body, Slavik Sargsyan, along with Deputy Head Taguhi Hakobyan, paid a working visit to the “Arabkir” Medical Center. 🔖 They were welcomed by the Director of the Medical Center, Arman Babloyan, and Medical Director, Nina Arikyants, who accompanied them on a tour of several departments. Mr. Sargsyan met with the medical staff, young patients, and their families, taking time to hear their feedback and suggestions. 🔖 The visit concluded with a consultative discussion, also attended by the Scientific Director of the Center and Chairman of the Board, Professor Ara Babloyan.

April 15 is celebrated as the Day of Laboratory Diagnostics Specialists. These professionals play a crucial role in healthcare — without their work, it would be impossible to begin or complete patient treatment. Medicine worldwide relies heavily on laboratory diagnostics. We warmly congratulate the employees of our laboratory service and their colleagues, wishing them good health and the opportunity to work in peaceful and uninterrupted conditions. Thank you, dear specialists!  The laboratory service of the "Arabkir" Medical Center operates every day, around the clock, providing a full range of diagnostic services to people of all ages — from newborns to adults and the elderly — regardless of whether they are patients at the "Arabkir" Medical Center. Learn more about our laboratory services here: https://arabkirmc.am/hy/services/4 #ArabkirMHLaboratory

As part of the cooperation program signed in 2023, our colleagues from the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook Hospital in New York, led by our compatriot, Associate Professor of Anesthesiology Vahe Tadevosyan, visited the Arabkir Medical Center last week.   This time, the American team included anesthesiologists, EEG and ultrasound specialists, otolaryngologists, and surgeons. Together with our doctors, they conducted consultations and surgeries, and discussed the implementation of modern medical technologies and their key features.

On the occasion of Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Day, we highlight the modern treatment methods used at the Neurosurgery Service of the Arabkir Medical Center. Watch the video by news.am.  

Today is Parkinson’s Day, a reminder to raise awareness about the disease, its symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment, to speak up about the challenges people with Parkinson’s disease, and to discuss possible solutions. Listen to Niko Arzumanyan, Head of the Neurosurgery Service at Arabkir Medical Center, and neurologist Zaruhi Tadevosyan on Public Radio.   For several years now, the Neurosurgery Service at Arabkir Medical Center has been offering surgical treatment for Parkinson’s disease through deep brain stimulation.    

Our partner transplant specialists, Professor Nizam Mamode from Guy’s Hospital in London and Miriam Manook from Cambridge University Hospital, visited Arabkir Medical Center. Today, alongside the Arabkir Transplant team, they consulted a group of patients and discussed specific kidney transplantation cases.   Watch the video: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/16TZCVeAAQ/

Dear colleagues, We are pleased to announce that as part of the collaboration between Arabkir MC–ICAH and Stony Brook University Hospital (New York), the Armenian-American Symposium on Interprofessional Care of Pediatric Patients will take place on April 11, from 14:00 to 19:00, in the Arabkir conference hall. The symposium will focus on current issues in pediatric surgery, anesthesiology, and intensive care. Target audience:  Pediatric surgeons, pediatric otolaryngologists, pediatric urologists, pediatric anesthesiologists, and intensive care specialists. The program has been submitted for approval by the RA Ministry of Health. Registration is required to attend. Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAI

‼️ April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day, established by the UN General Assembly in 2007.   🔸 The aim of the day is to highlight the importance of supporting individuals with autism and autism spectrum disorders, and to help improve their quality of life. 🔸 The theme for World Autism Awareness Day 2025 is “Inclusion in the Workplace: Challenges and Opportunities in a Post-Pandemic World.” It emphasizes the need to create inclusive work environments where people with autism can fully demonstrate their potential and contribute to society. 🔸 “Arabkir” Medical Center, through its “ArBeS” Health Center, actively supports children with autism and their families by providing early diagnosis and professional care. Our goal is to foster inclusion from early childhood, increasing the chances that less effort will be needed later in life. We support all initiatives aimed at raising awareness about autism and improving the quality of life for people with autism, working toward a society where everyone has equal opportunities and full inclusion.

The son of our long-time Argentine-Armenian friends, Gregorio and Ofelia Tertzakian, Rodrigo Tertzakian, and his wife Vivienne, visited the “Arabkir” Medical Center with their family.   During their trip to Armenia, the Tertzakians were determined to visit “Arabkir”—a place where their parents left a lasting legacy. In the early 2000s, a meaningful friendship began between Grigor Tertzakian and Professor Ara Babloyan. That bond grew stronger over the years, and the Tertzakian family began supporting Arabkir’s pediatric programs, confident that the mission started with Ara Babloyan would lead to meaningful impact. Following Grigor Tertzakian’s passing, one of the buildings at the medical center was named in his honor. The Tertzakian family left “Arabkir” deeply moved—excited, emotional, and uplifted. They shared that what they saw filled them with strength, love for Armenia, and a desire to return.

 Purple Day is recognized as Epilepsy Awareness Day. This day is dedicated to raising awareness about epilepsy, inspired by a letter written by Cassidy Megan, a nine-year-old girl with epilepsy, in which she shared, “I’m like everyone else, just one of them.”  Thanks to the neurology, epileptology, and neurosurgical services at the Arabkir Medical Center, we can now offer comprehensive care for both children and adults with epilepsy. Our services include diagnosis, treatment, and continuous monitoring with advanced technology, all in one place.  Our team of professionals is always by the side of patients, reaffirming the idea that epilepsy is not a sentence, but rather a condition that can be managed. With the right care and support, both patients and their families can learn to live with it.

The event held at the "Arabkir" Medical Center on the occasion of Pediatric Rheumatology Day was featured on the "Dr. David" program. You can watch the video here.

March 21 is recognized globally as World Down Syndrome Day.   The theme for 2025 is: “We call on all governments to improve our support systems.”   Worldwide, 1 in every 700 children is born with a full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21 — the cause of Down syndrome and the reason for the characteristic physical traits associated with it. Although there are no precise statistics available for Armenia, in 2023, 45 children aged 0–2 were diagnosed with Down syndrome.   At the “ArBeS” Health Center of the “Arabkir” Medical Center, children with Down syndrome up to the age of 18 receive professional care from a team that includes a physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist, psychologist, and special educator.

The Laboratory Diagnostic Service of Arabkir Medical Center has been awarded the AST ISO 9001-2016 “Quality Management Systems: Requirements” certificate by the National Body for Standards and Metrology of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia. What does this certification mean, and why is it significant? Laboratory staff answered these questions on Public TV’s “News” program.  

A few days after World Kidney Day, we return to the topic of kidney health. Listen to Professor Ashot Sargsyan, Head of the Nephrology Service at Arabkir Medical Center, as he answers questions on the Public TV's “News” program.  

Public TV’s “News” program covered the event organized at the “Arabkir” Medical Center, dedicated to World Young Rheumatic Diseases Day.  

The Ministry of Health's team interviewed Gayane Khloyan, head of the Rheumatology service, along with children and their parents.  

On the occasion of World Young Rheumatic Diseases Day, Minister of Health Anahit Avanesyan visited Arabkir Medical Center.   This format of direct interaction with children, parents, and healthcare providers aligns with the main goal of the day — to raise awareness and emphasize that, thanks to advances in medical science, juvenile idiopathic arthritis is now largely manageable. With the right treatment strategies and effective medications, challenges can be overcome, and children's quality of life can be maintained and improved.   Arabkir Medical Center has embodied these values for decades. It was with this vision that the pediatric rheumatology service was established, becoming a unique training ground for many of Armenia’s rheumatologists and offering comprehensive diagnostic, therapeutic, and long-term follow-up services.   Through the joint efforts of Arabkir Medical Center and the Ministry of Health, an important and unprecedented program has been launched: children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis now receive essential medications free of charge under a state-supported initiative — a meaningful step in supporting affected families.