Our dedicated team of specialists in the Resuscitation and Intensive Care Service successfully saved the life of another child, 2.5-year-old Arpi, who accidentally consumed pesticide from a juice bottle in their garden.    Dear parents, be cautious, keep medicines, pesticides and other harmful substances far away from areas accessible to children. The inadvertent, unconscious indigestion of such substances can lead to the most undesirable consequences.    Thank you, dear doctors.  Thank you, Public TV Company.   At the intensive care unit of "Arabkir" medical center, 2.5-year-old Arpi is peacefully sleeping. Just a few days ago, this child accidentally consumed a highly dangerous and potent agricultural pesticide from a juice bottle at home.  Ashot Gyulbudaghyan /head of the Intensive Care and Resuscitation Service of “Arabkir” Medical Center/ — It is a pesticide to clean trees, which is an organophosphorus compound and is highly toxic. To illustrate its potency, just one gram of this compound is enough to dissolve in 20 liters of water for use.    Doctor Gyulbudaghyan hurries to check the health condition of the child before the girl wakes up and gets into mischief. The little one is being prepared for discharge, or rather, to continue the further course of treatment at the Pediatric Toxicology center. The patient was brought from Charentsavan in an extremely critical condition that the doctors immediately put her on artificial respiration. The case gained attention through a social media post: the life of the little one depends on us, we need to find the medicine that was not readily available. People even offered assistance from Moscow. However, fortunately, the necessary product was found on-site.   Ashot Gyulbudaghyan /head of the Intensive Care and Resuscitation Service of “Arabkir” Medical Center/ — Organophosphorus compound has two antidotes: we had one and administered it immediately. However, the second was not available at our hospital. We contacted the Pediatric Toxicology department, resuscitation in Muratsan, but they did not have it either. Then they contacted the adult toxicology department in Cheryomushka, where the second antidote was available. The parents brought it, and we administered  both antidotes.   The worst is now behind us. The complications that arose from the pesticide exposure and affected the cardiovascular and respiratory systems have been overcome. Arpi has been breathing on her own since Thursday. Thanks to the intensive treatment, they managed to avoid damage to her liver and kidney. However, there are still certain neurological consequences such as convulsions, hand tremors. Ashot Gyulbudaghyan /head of the Intensive Care and Resuscitation Service of “Arabkir” Medical Center/ — As of today, the child’s health has significantly improved, showing positive dynamics. Her consciousness is clear, she is eating normally. Her reactions to the environment are within the expected range. She has certain neurological disorders that result from poisoning, but they are transient.   The important thing is that the body rids itself of the poison. The indicators of our small patients, from fever to food, are recorded in the logbook by the nurses who monitor their health around the clock.   A fragment from nurses’ conversation — The condition is stable. As I can see, she is sleeping. Yes. She will be fed at 11:30, 150 ml.   It is unknown how much pesticide Arpi consumed. The specialist says that one sip, even 5 milligrams, is considered a lethal dose for her weight. In this case, doctors were able to save her, because the child was not hungry, preventing rapid absorption of the substance into her bloodstream. Moreover, the mother promptly induced vomiting, leading to the expulsion of some of the poison.   “I am grateful to everyone” said the father, who requested not to be filmed, and wanted to convey his appreciation. Pediatricians strongly urge him and all parents to be vigilant in keeping medicines and various household chemicals out of reach of  children. Among 2-5 year olds, accidental poisoning is particularly dangerous, as they often put into their mouths what gets into their hands without understanding.

  The stories of 15-year-old Mher and 10-year-old Arin are emotional and seem almost miraculous. Mher was involved in a car accident in Yerevan, while Arin experienced a car accident in Iraq. Both children were in critical condition and taken to intensive care units of medical institutions - one in Yerevan, the other in Iraq. Then operations were performed, and they were transferred to the rehabilitation service of the "Arabkir" medical center.   Now that the children have been discharged, their relatives admit that this road was undeniably challenging, but they were able to get through it with the help of dedicated professionals, cooperations between different medical institutions, coordination with the Ministry of Health and strong teamwork within the hospital.   Thank you, dear doctors and the team of rehabilitation service: physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists. Mher and Arin are really strong thanks to you. Thank you, news.am.    In the clinical rehabilitation department of the "Arabkir" medical center, specialists are working to help 15-year-old Mher Avdalyan to get back on his feet. A specialized team of physiotherapists and occupational therapists works with him. On February 20, Mher was hit by a car. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition. The boy suffered a cranial injury, multiple fractures, including his neck. He slipped into a coma for nine days, then regained consciousness, but had developed complicated pneumonia, and experienced difficulties with movement and communication.    Liana Aghajanyan /Pediatric Rehabilitation Specialist, manual therapist, head of the Clinical Rehabilitology Department at the“Arabkir” MC/ — Mher Avdalyan was brought to the hospital on a stretcher, with a tracheostomy. He had to be fed through a nasogastric tube since he was unable to consume his daily ration. There were difficulties with drinking, he was unable to sit, also his leg was broken and was in a cast. Rehabilitation was aimed at eliminating secondary complications, as in many cases patients can die because of it: wounds, vascular plaques, etc. As the patient had been in a horizontal position for an extended period, the process of sitting was particularly challenging. However, he managed to sit, achieve an independent sitting position, use his hands, get up independently, and stand. Mher's mother holds strong faith and unwavering belief that they will overcome this stage as well, and the child will be able to walk. Along with specialists, Mher's family also helps him in his recovery. Gohar Avdalyan /Mher’s mother/ — “Arabkir” medical center helped my child a lot to get back on his feet. I am very grateful to them for the care provided by the doctors and everything they have done. Well, I have never been here, I am a mother of six children, but none of them has been in a hospital before. They did a great job, thanks to which my child can now sit. Previously, he couldn't sit and was always lying down, but now he can sit and talk. He was not able to communicate at that time, but now he communicates and expresses his needs. After completing the rehabilitation treatment in the acute phase, when boy’s condition had stabilized, and the boy was able to sit, drink and eat by himself, and his respiratory function had fully recovered and the tracheostomy was removed, Mher went to the next stage of rehabilitation treatment at the ArBeS Health Center of the “Arabkir” medical center. Although he still relies on a wheelchair, Dr. Liana Aghajanyan considers it a big achievement. They are hopeful that with ArBeS' training, Mher will regain the functions of standing and moving.   Dr. Liana Aghajanyan shares details about another complicated case. 10-year-old Arin Petrosyan was brought to "Arabkir" medical center following a serious car accident that took place in Iraq. After spending two months in the intensive care unit there, Arin had to be transferred to Armenia due to the unavailability of rehabilitation services. The Ministry of Health directed her to the “Arabkir” medical center, which houses a specialized clinical rehabilitation department. Liana Aghajanyan — Why clinical rehabilitation? Because there are various medical conditions, where relying solely on inpatient care may not be safe, especially when there is no multidisciplinary team available to provide timely services. After experiencing any trauma, particularly brain or spinal cord injuries, burns, amputations or severe orthopedic damage, children require reintegration into their normal lives. To achieve this, a series of measures must be taken to help the child to return to their everyday life.   Arin was brought to the medical center on a stretcher. She had multiple fractures, had a shunt, and was receiving anti-seizure treatment. Due to neurological damage, she was unable to hold her head, sit, or turn over in bed, and her speech was also absent. The fact that the child did not understand Armenian, made the doctors' work difficult.  Arin came from a large family of eight, but only she and her younger brother survived. In Armenia, her relatives took care of her. Liana Aghajanyan — After rehabilitation, the child was able to sit independently, maintain a stable sitting position, although these actions were impossible in the first month. She started using her hands, but the neurological deficit was still present, and the actions were performed with errors. She began to understand and speak Armenian, even though the main language was Arabic. The center's speech therapist learned Arabic, while Arin learned Armenian, and their communication was significantly improved. The recovery progressed to the stage where the child was able to hold and stand. However, walking was still not developed due to some remaining leg contracture. Rehabilitation therapy is a collaborative effort, coordinated by a rehabilitation physician, with each specialist contributing their expertise. The physiotherapist focuses on improving large movements such as sitting, standing, moving, walking and developing balance and coordination. With the help of the occupational therapist, self-care skills are restored, including eating, dressing, combing, washing, as well as performing delicate actions with small objects by enhancing the development of sensory receptors. The speech therapist’s work is aimed at enhancing speech perception and pronunciation, as well as correcting any disorders related to swallowing to ensure safe eating and drinking. Liana Aghajanyan — Our entire therapy approach was based on the concept of play. It is essential in our work, as it creates motivation. Over the course of approximately 4 months of rehabilitation treatment, Arin's health condition has significantly improved.    Thus, slowly moving forward, the team bid a fond farewell to Arin, who had become everyone's favorite. She was now making jokes and even imitating Mher, who was practicing in the next room.  Arin imitating Mher — Lilia, Mher talks like this - ya, ya, ya…    Vigen, a family friend, uncle, as Arin called him, came with his children and conveyed the words of gratitude from Arin’s grandmother.  The “Arabkir” medical center’s Rehabilitation department serves many children, like Arin and Mher, and adults, including soldiers wounded during the war. With the support of a professional team, they regain their lost skills and reintegrate into the next stages of life. 

The Aparan health resort of the "Arabkir" Medical Center has reopened its doors again and is now welcoming its second shift. Endless games, song and dance performances, painting and fine arts, competitions, sports, swimming pool. The children from various services of the "Arabkir" MC dispensary enjoy the most genuine luxury of human contact.    The days spent here with friends, teachers and specialists of the rehabilitation team are truly unforgettable. All the children who came to the camp express a strong desire to return, says Armine Episkoposyan, who is responsible for the camp. According to her, the camp seems to possess a special force of attraction here, and the force is the power of friendship.   The camp will remain open until August 23rd, accepting two more shifts. Each shift accommodates 30-40 children for 14 days.   May you have a wonderful rest and we wish you all good health, dear campers!

  This year's session of the Speech Development Center for children with hearing impairment concluded with a joyous ceremony. 8 children transitioned to public schools, with developed speech, which hold immeasurable  importance for their further education and life in general. Considering that there are very few of the society, it can be said that special representatives, who know the sign language with which deaf and hard of hearing people communicate, the speech development of these children becomes a top priority, which is what the professional team of the "Arabkir" Medical Center is aiming for. First of all, the correct hearing aids are selected and adjusted for children according to the degree of hearing and individual needs. In parallel with that, consultation meetings with audio therapists are organized. A little later, scheduled classes are conducted - two days of individual sessions and two days of group-musical sessions. Thus, our children start learning from the earliest age, attending classes, feeling responsibility and becoming more organized and independent. This is noticed by their school admissions teachers. We wish you all the best, an interesting and pleasant trip to school, our dears!

  This time, the Public TV Company visited our little child from Artsakh. They noticed that Monte is missing his mom. We hold onto the hope that the child will recover from this illness without any consequences and will return home with his parents, to his sisters and brothers.   The team of “Arabkir” MC is putting maximum efforts to ensure the well-being of the child.    On June 24, a baby, who was transported by helicopter from Nagorno Karabakh to Armenia in a critical condition, is currently receiving care in the intensive care unit. The baby’s life was saved, and the doctors are now dedicated to helping the child make a complete recovery. Initially, he was diagnosed with tonsillitis, but the virus has affected the baby’s brain. The condition of the baby worsened due to the unavailability of medication caused by the blockade of the Lachin corridor. Monte started crying when he saw his mother. Then he found comfort in his mother’s arms and eventually started to smile. Narine Melkumyan (the mother of the child) - I could not have imagined how it would be, that we would have to move to Armenia and that our child would be saved. Meetings are not held on a daily basis, as the child remains in quarantine within the intensive care unit. Monte is the baby who was airlifted from Nagorno Karabakh to Armenia on June 24th, in an extremely critical condition, accompanied by Russian peacekeepers. The child was diagnosed with tonsillitis, an inflammation of the tonsils, and later it was discovered that the virus had spread to the nervous system, impacting the brain.   Ashot Gyulbudaghyan (the head of the Intensive Care and Resuscitation Service of “Arabkir” Medical Center) - Time was of the essence. Currently, the one-year-old boy is able to drink on his own, move around, and explore us, strangers. Prior to his transfer, the baby was in the “Arevik” Children's Hospital in Stepanakert. During the last two days of his stay, he was in a serious condition. However, due to the road blockade imposed by Azerbaijani side, which included an unauthorized checkpoint on the Hakari bridge and restrictions on Red Cross movement since June 15th, it was challenging to transfer him to Armenia. And only on the morning of June 24th, it was possible to transport the baby by helicopter to Sisian, and from there to Yerevan,using a specially equipped resuscitation vehicle.   Ashot Gyulbudaghyan -  All necessary measures were taken, but the main issue lied in the availability of medication, as there were only two vials of the required treatment. The child remained unconscious, showing no response or reactions, except for movements and reactions to intense pain. The medication administered upon arrival in Yerevan needs to be continued for a duration of 21 days. The medical team is now relieved regarding the child's life, and now they are fighting for his complete recovery, as any delays in treatment may result in disability. Ashot Gyulbudaghyan - The dynamics witnessed over the course of these 16 days provide strong indications that the child is likely to achieve a full and complete recovery.   The medical team anticipates that within 5 days they will be able to remove the label "Monte" from the bed and transfer the baby to a regular ward. Doctor Gyulbudaghyan is confident that the presence of the child's mother will contribute to a faster recovery, given that the issue is related to the nervous system. Monte's mood visibly changed when his mother left, and even his favorite cartoon failed to bring a smile to his face. The neurologist is making efforts to provide comfort and reassurance.   Ani Sharyan (pediatric neurologist) - He looks, follows, and the movements of his hands and legs have fully recovered.   While we were in the intensive care unit, Monte's father waited by the doors of the medical center for the next update.   Karen Grigoryan (the father of the child) - Ehh, you child in front of your eyes…I don’t know… He has not seen his child for 16 days. He is looking at the pictures from Monte’s first birthday party on May 25th, waiting for the moment they can return home to Martakert, where their other two children are waiting for them. In the meantime, when not pacing the hospital corridors, they stay in the accommodation provided by the medical center. The duration of Monte's complete recovery remains uncertain even to the doctors. Even after being transferred to the hospital, it will still take weeks for him to fully recover.

  Summarizing the participation of “Arabkir” MC-ICAH at the 6th International Medical Congress of Armenia (IMCA 6): two satellite symposiums on topics of “Pediatric Dermatology” and “Cystic Fibrosis”,  about 30 oral presentations during plenary sessions and satellite symposiums of the congress, covering topics such as healthcare management, nursing, therapeutic and surgical specialities, about 30 published abstracts in the “Armenian Journal of Health and Medical Sciences”, published by the National Institute of Health, 9 specialists from “Arabkir” MC were included in the 119-member scientific council of the congress, Professor Ara Babloyan, the scientific head of the “Arabkir” MC-ICAH, served as the Honorary President of the congress. It is worth noting that this year’s congress witnessed an unprecedented participation of 518 specialists, with 345 of them from Armenia.

  Today marks the beginning of the International Medical Congress of Armenia, titled “Together we can do more”. The official opening ceremony of the congress took place yesterday at the American University of Armenia.   During the ceremony, Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisyan, head of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Protocol of Mother See Holy of Echmiadzin, conveyed the blessing and greetings of His Holiness the Patriarch to the participants of the congress. Anahit Avanesyan, the Minister of Health of the RA, Vardan Tadevosyan the Minister of Health of the Republic of Artsakh, Ara Babloyan, the honorary president of the congress, Vigen Sepilyan, the president of the International Armenian Medical Committee, Gevorg Yaghjyan and Hambardzum Simonyan co-chairs of the IMCA 6, also delivered welcome speeches.  During the opening ceremony of the congress, a group of distinguished individuals in the field of medicine, including Ara Babloyan, the scientific head and president of the Board of Directors of “Arabkir” MC-ICAH, and Biayna Sukudyan, the head of the Neurology and Epileptology service of the medical center, received special awards.  We extend our congratulations to everyone and wish for a healthy and peaceful congress. The congress will continue until July 8th, you can stay updated through the IMCA6 website and Facebook page.  https://6imca.am/ https://www.facebook.com/6imca

  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.

  Dear colleagues,  only a few days left until the opening of the biggest medical and healthcare event of the year, the 6th International Medical Congress of Armenia. The congress will commence on July 5th at the American University of Armenia, with the main sessions taking place from July 6th to 8th at the Armenia Marriott Hotel. The honorary chairman of the assembly is the scientific director of "Arabkir" Medical Center, Professor Ara Babloyan.   Approximately 2,000 specialists from Armenia and abroad will participate in the congress and satellite conferences. The satellite conferences have already commenced, and you can find the list of conferences through the following link: https://6imca.am/satellite-symposiums.   Additionally, “Arabkir” Medical Center will be hosting the satellite conference titled "Cystic Fibrosis in the 21st Century: modern possibilities of diagnosis and treatment" on July 7th. The conference will take place in the conference hall of the medical center. To view the symposium program, please follow the link: https://6imca.am/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/%D4%BE%D6%80%D5%A1%D5%A3%D5%AB%D6%80-CF-23-06.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1JXD9_EHIdjYe2Gak_tRg3jCz4YwwQ0TRwqa9lH1IX9qxcXX8gAyee5yo   Furthermore, on July 5th, the Dermatology Service of "Arabkir" Medical Center and the Armenian Association of Pediatric Dermatologists invite you to the "Pediatric Dermatology'' satellite symposium, which will be held at Admiral Isakov 11 (Downtown Foodpark). For the detailed program, please refer to this link: https://6imca.am/.../2023/05/Pediatric-Dermatology.pdf   We extend a warm welcome to all participants and we wish you all productive and scientifically enriching days!

  Dear friends, “Arabkir” Medical Center has joined the initiative “Together we can do more for Artsakh”. As part of this initiative, a charity concert will be held on July 4th featuring the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra.   Come and enjoy Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No.9 conducted by Sergey Smbatyan. The proceeds from the charity concert will be directed towards meeting the healthcare needs of children in Artsakh. July 4th, 19:00, “Aram Khachaturian” concert hall. To reserve your tickets, please visit the following link:  https://armsymphony.am/.../con.../178/tickets/get-tickets...  

The "Arabkir'' United Children's Charity Foundation, in collaboration with UNICEF and the "Arabkir" Medical Center, organized a 6-day course on the topic of "Fundamentals of Early Detection and Intervention of Child Developmental Disorders". The course was aimed at pediatricians, family doctors and nurses from primary health care facilities in Armavir and Lori regions.   The primary objective of the training was to enhance the knowledge and skills of senior and middle medical staff in assessing child development, using cards approved by the standards of the Ministry of Health, facilitating early detection of developmental delays and organization of interventions.   The courses were delivered by experienced pediatricians, developmental pediatricians and rehabilitation specialists in the field of child development. A total of 325 healthcare professionals participated in the training. They received both theoretical and practical Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits, which were approved by the Ministry of Health. Additionally, they were provided with a manual titled "Child Development, Developmental Delays and Basics of Early Intervention". To ensure the application of the acquired knowledge in practice and facilitate discussion on emerging issues, monitoring support visits are being organized with experts.   The project is being implemented by UNICEF in collaboration with the “Arabkir” United Children's Charity Foundation as part of the "Improved Services for Equal Participation and Inclusive Development" program. The program is financially supported by the Russian Federation.

The child from Artsakh, who is one year old, is currently in an extremely critical condition and has been admitted to the "Arabkir" Medical Complex. Earlier today, Russian peacekeepers transported the child by helicopter from Artsakh to Armenia. It is important to note that the child was initially admitted to the "Arevik" Children's Hospital in Stepanakert a few days ago with tonsillitis and rash. However, after a few days of being in the hospital, doctors noticed that the child exhibited drowsiness and unusual, involuntary movements. They contacted their colleagues in the neurology and epileptology service of the "Arabkir" Medical Complex for professional consultation. Currently, there are no pediatric neurologists available in Artsakh, so the medical professionals maintain regular contact with the doctors at "Arabkir" through various remote communication methods.   After conducting multiple video calls and remote observations, the medical team determined that a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) should be performed due to suspicion that the virus had invaded the nervous system, resulting in viral encephalitis and affecting the brain. The doctors in Artsakh promptly arranged for the examination and the diagnosis was confirmed. However, it was not possible to obtain a more detailed diagnosis specifying the exact virus responsible for the issue. This was due to the complete closure of the road to Artsakh for over a week, and the specialized virus tests can only be conducted in Armenia.   Arranging treatment in Artsakh is currently impossible due to the lack of necessary medications in Stepanakert. The child’s health condition was in significant danger, especially when the MRI revealed another serious problem: aside from inflammation, hemorrhage was also observed in the child's brain. The doctors in Artsakh made urgent and selfless efforts to manage the child's condition in the resuscitation department. However, as the days passed, the child’s condition deteriorated further, making it evident that managing his condition in the besieged Stepanakert was no longer feasible and he should be transferred to Yerevan. The process of organizing the transfer took additional 24 hours, during which the child's condition worsened, leading to the onset of convulsions. Consequently, anticonvulsant medication was prescribed.   The child was initially transferred from Artsakh to Sisian via helicopter. From Sisian, the child was transported to Yerevan by the resuscitation and intensive care team of the "Arabkir" Medical Complex, using a specially equipped resuscitation vehicle. Currently, the baby is in the examination phase to further clarify the previously established diagnosis and determine the subsequent treatment plan. 

"I suggest exploring alternative means to resolve the issue and without endangering the lives of civilians". Ara Babloyan answered the questions of iravunk.com. For the past 7 days, both the Russian peacekeepers and the Red Cross have been unable to deliver medicine and food to Stepanakert. Additionally, they cannot transport critical patients to Yerevan due to the closure of the Hakari checkpoint, which is closed by the Azerbaijani side for humanitarian cargo and passenger transportation. Ever since the failed attempt to place their flag on the section leading from the bridge to Kornidzor, the people living in Artsakh have been completely isolated. What problems will the humanitarian disaster bring with it? We approached Professor Ara Babloyan, MD, the scientific head of the “Arabkir” MC to gain his perspective on this. - Yes, Artsakh, which has already been under blockade for months, is currently facing an even more difficult situation. The blockade has intensified, making it increasingly difficult to deliver medicine and medical supplies to our compatriots living in Artsakh through the Red Cross and Russian peacekeepers. Furthermore, the transfer of patients from Artsakh to Armenia, who require medical treatment that cannot be provided locally, has also become impossible. This means that these individuals may effectively be sentenced to death. It is crucial to note that we have patients in Artsakh who have undergone organ transplants and cannot sustain their lives without our medical services and the medicines we used to send. Therefore, this situation poses a stark choice: either death or becoming part of Azerbaijan? As a doctor, this is unacceptable to me. At the same time, the professor emphasizes. - Throughout my professional life, I have treated hundreds of Azerbaijani children and I assure you that even during the tense relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the late 80s and early 90s, I never differentiated between Azerbaijani and Armenian children in need of medical treatment. This is one of the fundamental principles of our humanitarian profession. I want the authorities of Azerbaijan to look into the eyes of their children and grandchildren, and try to feel what the blockade holds for the children of Artsakh. I propose finding alternative solutions to resolve the issue that do not sacrifice the lives of innocent civilians.

Dear colleagues: doctors, nurses, orderlies, healthcare organizers, We congratulate all of you on the occasion of the Medical Workers’ Day!   We express our gratitude for your professionalism, professional support, dedication, and care. Your commitment keeps us in sync with the world’s leaders in healthcare. Each one of you plays an invaluable role in a vast and intricate chain of disease prevention, diagnosis, treatment, patient monitoring, rehabilitation, and preservation of this chain’s integrity is the greatest guarantee of success.   We wish you health and peace, continuous professional growth, a sense of appreciation, happiness with your families. May you remain an integral part of this vital chain, making it stronger and unbreakable.

The visits of our Swiss colleagues to various services and departments of "Arabkir" MC continue. Last week, Professor Christian Braegger, a renowned gastroenterologist, nutritionist, who previously headed the Gastroenterology and Nutrition service at the University Children's Hospital of Zurich, was the honored guest of the Gastroenterology and Endoscopy services.  During his visit, the professor conducted a workshop focused on endoscopic examinations of children, including gastroscopy and colonoscopy, as well as modern approaches to interpretation. Gastroenterologist-endoscopist Ani Hovnanyan performed 22 examinations during those days in the direct presence of the professor, benefitting from his advice and guidance throughout the procedures. Sona Martirosyan, was responsible for the anesthesia for the research. The gastroenterology service team, in collaboration with the general pediatric department, handled patient selection and preparatory work for these examinations.

The collaboration between the “Arabkir” Medical Center and the Health Fund for Children of Armenia (HFC) sets an exemplary model: joint efforts aimed at improving  children’s lives and their quality of life.    We are glad to inform you that Professor Ara Babloyan, the scientific head of the “Arabkir” MC, is now part of the new board of trustees. We extend our best wishes to the HFC team for success in all their humanitarian endeavors. https://www.facebook.com/hfcarmenia/posts/pfbid0XDShnGhmAsZ1xWLWne7VVJ4f2XmeTGvbemFb2UkggkZYoLx478UgJJLS1qAz2TeHl  

The "Pediatric School 2023" was recently held as part of an annual series of traditional lectures organized by the Armenian Pediatric Association. This year, more than 160 doctors from across the country participated in the school. The majority of attendees were pediatricians and family doctors working in primary healthcare, along with other specialists from various medical institutions.   Distinguished specialists from Armenia and the Russian Federation delivered lectures on several important topics in modern pediatrics, including pediatric gastroenterology, neurology, pulmonology, dermatology and cardiology. The program has been certified by the Ministry of Health of the RA, and the doctors will receive CPD credits.

As part of an ongoing collaboration, specialists from the University Children's Hospital of Zurich recently visited the "Arabkir" Medical Center. The delegation included George Shtabuli, the head of the emergency medical service, along with nurses Neila Paioni and Stephanie Davidson. The visit featured productive meetings with colleagues from "Arabkir", which involved active discussions, case observations, comparison of medical approaches, lectures, and, of course, exchange of practical skills and project ideas. Specialists from the reception and emergency medical departments, as well as other pediatric departments, had the opportunity to share their experiences with George Shtabuli, Neila and Stephanie.   The lectures delivered by George Shtabuli and Neila Paioni's on topics such as fever in babies, pain management and triage sparked active questions and discussions. According to doctors, such meetings have a highly positive impact, particularly on the professional development of young healthcare professionals. 

Dear doctors, On June 10th, this year’s series of annual lectures of the “Pediatric School” will be held at “Arabkir” MC-ICAH.   The program features lectures by renowned pediatricians from Armenia and Russia, focusing on modern issues of Pediatrics.   The program has been certified by the Ministry of Health of the RA. Physicians who have registered and participated in the required order will receive certificates with CPD (Continuing Professional Development) credits.   To register, please send an e-mail to [email protected].  The program and agenda can be found below.

“I wish for all our children to be healthy and to live in a peaceful and safe country. This is the most important thing. And, of course, I wish them to have opportunities to ensure all their rights - health, educational, social and others”. Arman Babloyan, the director of “Arabkir” MC-ICAH has answered the questions of news.am: occasion - Children’s Day, topic - children’s right to health and current issues of pediatrics.   June 1st is the International Children's Rights Protection Day, with the right to health holding a special significance. NEWS.am Medicine recently interviewed Arman Babloyan, the director of the “Arabkir” Medical Center - Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, to discuss the topic. Mr. Babloyan, Pediatrics plays a crucial role in upholding children’s health rights and is considered one of the most vital branches of medicine. As the head of one of the most prestigious and third-level pediatric institutions in Armenia, what is your opinion, what is pediatrics like in Armenia today, what prospects do we have in this field? Thank you, the topic is very important. We have a very common expression: children are our future, but our approach is different: children are our present, our today, and they have their rights, including the right to health. Therefore, we - the state, society, doctors, all of us - must make every effort to protect children's right to health. Simultaneously, as part of a strategic approach, the state must recognize that a healthy society cannot be achieved without ensuring the health of its foundation - children. In other words, the health of society is directly linked to the health of children. Today's children’s health serves as a guarantee for a future society of healthy adults, and by safeguarding children’s rights today, we aspire to build a healthy society and a safe country in the future. Consequently, pediatrics should consistently occupy a primary and unique position within healthcare, as advocated by the WHO and observed in high-quality healthcare systems of developed countries, where the prioritization of motherhood is unquestioned. However, it is regrettable that over the past 20 years, there has been a decline in interest in pediatrics as a profession, and only the dedicated pursue this field. Is it possible that it is related to the Pediatrics faculty being closed? Certainly, the closure of the faculty of Pediatrics had its significance in this matter, but it would be incorrect to solely attribute the problem to that. Generating interest among new graduates in the field of pediatrics should be a broader concern. And perhaps not the first, but one of the primary factors that sparks interest is the remuneration for work. When we compare the prices of medical services for children and adults, we observe a significant difference in approaches. Adult services are differentiated and reflect the actual value of the service, whereas children’s services are often averaged, which does not motivate new graduates to choose pediatrics. They tend to opt for adult medical professions so that they can later contribute to a more prosperous life for their families. If we look a little wider, what would you highlight, what is important for solving the problems of Pediatrics in Armenia? I think that first of all we should think in three main directions: firstly, the development of primary care, which will alleviate the burden on the hospital care and will not waste hospital resources on prevention, consultation, research and treatment of those diseases that can be fully managed at the primary level. And parallel to this, the second direction is the development of hospital services. They are highly interconnected. And the third area, of course, is education, both university and postgraduate, and continuous professional development so that we can provide the field with the necessary personnel. I think this should be a priority in the coming years because of the shortage of healthcare personnel in the field of pediatrics due to the circumstances already mentioned. And finally, your wish for June 1st. I wish for all our children to be healthy and to live in a peaceful and safe country. This is the most important thing. And, of course, I wish them to have opportunities to ensure all their rights - health, educational, social and others. 

What is sincerity? It is a child's smile. Our team, working with children, is fortunate. We witness sincerity every day, but today we experienced an abundance of sincerity with the assistance of artists from Happy House.   The little ones participated in celebrations with songs, dances and games. They had their photos taken with Teddy Bear and were thrilled to see balloon animals, skilfully crafted by the host, Arman. Both children and their parents enjoyed the show.   We wish all children a joyful June 1st and want to highlight that our dedicated doctors work night and day to protect your right of health. It is a mission for children’s healthy, peaceful, safe, bright present and future. Thank you, dear pediatricians and congratulations once again, our happiness - children. 

 Hearing therapist Marine Grigoryan has presented interesting details about speech development of children with hearing problems.   Discover more about hearing disorders, early identification of hearing loss, understanding the compensation of hearing loss, the potential consequences of delaying professional assistance, the importance of high-quality hearing aids in speech development, the significant role of the hearing therapist in the development of deaf children, and the myths and facts surrounding this field. 

Sergey Sargsyan, the Head of the Institute of Child and Adolescent Health of “Arabkir” Medical Center, recently participated in a discussion on Child and Maternal health, focusing on the progress and future plans of WHO projects in these areas in Europe. The discussion covered topics such as child development and rehabilitation, the health of school-aged children and adolescents, improving the quality of medical care, policy development and more. Experts from several countries, including Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Norway, Ireland and Armenia, took part in the discussion.  During his visit to Germany, Sergey Sargsyan also visited Uelenkinder Center in Hamburg to learn about local experiences in organizing children’s palliative care. The German partners presented the features and functions of services for identifying, referring, and organizing follow-up care for children in need of palliative care. Sergey Sargsyan told about the efforts undertaken in this field in Armenia, highlighting that in recent years the World Health Organization and “Arabkir” MC-ICAH have been working on implementing pediatric palliative care in Armenia. In particular, with the support of the Open Society Institute, an assessment of the situation, the development of a concept, guidelines, educational materials and a project of standards have been carried out. Currently, practical work is already underway for the full implementation of the service in Armenia.

An “Inventory” has been opened at the “ArBeS” Health Center, functioning similarly to a library, but instead providing equipment and furniture to children undergoing rehabilitation therapy at “ArBeS”. The aim is to support children’s families ensuring they have necessary equipment at home such as special tables and chairs, stands, rollers, mattresses, and folding ramps. This type of equipment is particularly vital for children with musculoskeletal disorders. Recognizing this, parents have joined forces united in the “Source” Foundation under the leadership of Marina Parazyan, to implement various projects aimed at enhancing the quality of children's lives.     This project, supported by UNICEF and the “Izmirlian” charitable foundation, is a successful example of collaboration that parents believe should continue on an interdepartmental level.     The opening ceremony of the “Inventory” was attended by Deputy Minister of Health Artak Jumayan, Armen Chobanyan (head of the Armenian office of the “Izmirlian” Charitable Foundation), Maya Simonyan (Early Childhood Development officer of UNICEF) , Arman Babloyan (director of the “Arabkir” MC-ICAH), Ara Babloyan (scientific head of “Arabkir” MC-ICAH), Manushak Yeritsyan (head of the “ArBeS” Health Center), specialists, parents, and other guests.   Ara Babloyan acknowledged the proactive role of parents, emphasizing that even the most brilliant ideas would be unattainable without strong parental connections. The collaboration between the “Source” Foundation and “Arabkir” MC serves as an example of this, and there is confidence that the project will succeed.

Arthur and Alen came to the “Arabkir” Medical Center to be examined, which usually begins in the laboratory. Boys, of course, are brave and not so afraid of “bee sting”, but our partner 10X Immersive has made this process more entertaining for them and all other children.  With virtual reality (VR) glasses, children appear directly in the center of the cartoon, becoming, for example, a captain who protects the ship from attackers, or another hero who has to help animals. And at the same time, our skilled nurses perform the intervention without causing any discomfort or pain to the children.   According to psychologists, this is a good way to divert children’s attention at that moment and to carry out the intervention quickly and without stress. According to some studies, with the help of virtual reality glasses, the pain threshold can be reduced by up to 35%, which primarily helps children and their parents, as well as, of course, specialists. Our laboratory nurses, who work with children every day, say that since the glasses appeared, the crying is less, everyone does their own thing: the children watch their cartoons, and the nurse takes samples.   Arthur and Alen also admit that they didn’t feel anything. Alen says: I’ve heard that there are such glasses, but I’ve never worn them. It was very fun, it’s a pity it didn’t last long.   Thank you, 10X Immersive team!

ATTENTION!   Dear visitors,   We want to inform you about recent updates regarding the waiting lists at “Arabkir” Medical Center.   If you have a scheduled appointment through a state order for any service but haven't received a call from the registrar regarding a new appointment date, please contact the respective department again and confirm your new visit date.   General contact number: 015 400 300 and extension 11 11.  Department phone numbers are available via the link. 

This important day was marked in the medical calendar in the honor of the daughter of English banker William Nightingale, Florence, who was born on May 12, 1820. This is an opportunity to tell about the brave decisions of Florence Nightingale, a fragile young woman, who wanted to leave her home, go to Germany and study nursing, so she can be next to wounded and those in need throughout her life as a true nurse.   In the memoirs of the Crimean War, it would be said about Florence later. “The “lady with the lamp” who arrived in Crimea from England with her group of devotees, walked around the rows of sleepless wounded all night long, giving one a glass of water, another a pill, and giving the next one a simple human smile. It was she who was entrusted with the management of the army hospital in Scutari and in that regard, the wounded soldiers were lucky."   After the war, Florence returned to Britain from the Crimea as a true hero, who was awarded with by the Queen herself, asking her not to stop working. It was then that Florence founded the Nightingale Training School, educating new generations and passing on her knowledge and skills to younger colleagues. We are happy to state that the strong nursing team of "Arabkir" Medical Center is one of the most loyal followers of the pioneer of modern nursing work, Florence Nightingale. Our Nursing Council, founded with Swiss friends, also pursues the professional development and progress of nurses with regularly held courses and conferences. Today, our skilled nurses not only receive continuous training, but also train young specialists both from "Arabkir" and from other medical institutions.  Dear nurses, we congratulate you on your day! We wish you a blissful feeling of flying in your professional and responsible field, keep going, traveling and learning non-stop. And if you walk through Waterloo Square in London one day, stop for a moment, smile and bow before the statue of Florence Nightingale.

The anesthesia - surgical team from the Stony Brook University of New York was in “Arabkir” Medical Center under the leadership of our compatriot, pediatric anesthesiologist, Doctor of Medicine Vahe Tadevosyan.  This was another visit made within the framework of many years of cooperation in order to share and exchange innovative experience and skills with each other. In addition to joint consultations, discussions and work in the operating room, the specialists from the US presented interesting clinical cases and new scientific materials. They emphasized that with each visit to “Arabkir”, they consistently learn something new and valuable from their colleagues, which they are then able to apply in their practice, making these visits extremely important for them as well.   News.am   “Anesthesiology, especially pediatric anesthesiology, is one of the most complex fields of medicine. Working with children in this field is special, based on both anatomical and physiological nuances, as well as pharmacological ones”. Khachatur Kyurkchyan, head of the anesthesiology and intensive care department of the "Arabkir" Medical Center, said this in a conversation with NEWS.am Medicine. According to him, this is one of the cases when it is not possible to say that the organism of a child is the same as the organism of an adult, just smaller. No. A specialist who does not know the anatomical and physiological characteristics of a child cannot successfully perform anesthesia, especially when it comes to babies one or two days old, whose brain is more sensitive to oxygen deprivation and whose cardiovascular system is less compensated. That is why, according to him, following international developments in pediatric anesthesiology, learning about innovative approaches, and exchanging professional experience and skills are very important, and "Arabkir" Medical Center cooperates with a number of clinics and professional associations for this purpose, including Vahe Tadevosyan's team from the famous Stony Brook clinic in the USA.  "And the exchange of experience and the discussion of cases regarding modern pediatric anesthesiology are important especially for those who are new to this field," Khachatur Kyurkchyan said. Now, the "Arabkir" Medical Center once again hosted a group of anesthesiologists and surgeons from Stony Brook University Hospital in New York, led by the famous Armenian anesthesiologist, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Vahe Tadevosyan. "For years, I have had a working relationship with the administration and teaching staff of the "Arabkir" Medical Center, and now I am lucky enough to gather a multidisciplinary team to come to Yerevan and work with our Armenian colleagues. Our goal is professional dialogue, discussion of ideas and exchange of experience. And I am very happy that we succeed, our visits create opportunities for professional mutual assistance," said pediatric anesthesiologist Vahe Tadevosyan from the Stony Brook University Hospital. These visits for exchange of experience and skills are of great importance for specialists from both sides, because in the conditions of daily development of practical medicine, innovative solutions appear, which are certainly interesting and educational.

Happy Birthday, dear Ara Sayen,   We wish you health, peace and opportunities to implement your child-centered, human-centered ideas. Your efforts and dedication to the healthcare in Armenia and Artsakh, especially in pediatrics, are invaluable, thank you.   We wish lots of energy for you to enjoy the fruits of your labor, and, as always, initiate new ones for Armenian children and adults.

Asthma is a complex disease caused by genetic and environmental factors. It is the most common chronic disease in children and adolescents worldwide and one of the most common in adults.   The World Health Organization has highlighted asthma as both a cause and consequence of poverty in low- and middle-income countries. WHO estimates that asthma affects 339 million people worldwide.   On the occasion of World Asthma Day, the European Respiratory Society (ERS) and the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) have joined forces to discuss key updates to the GINA 2023 strategy report on asthma management recommendations for adults, adolescents and  children, highlighting the key questions on the topic:  how climate change and air pollution can affect people with asthma,  what specialists can do to choose the most suitable inhaler for their patients,  what needs to be done to guarantee a healthier future for patients at national, European and global levels.   In Armenia, children and adolescents with asthma are served in “Arabkir” Medical Center. In our Respiratory Medicine and Allergology service, all modern methods for diagnosis, treatment and management of asthma are possible now, thanks to the close cooperation of our doctors with foreign clinics and professional associations, continuing professional development and great technical equipment.    Asthma is not a sentence. Early diagnosis and proper medical approach make it manageable.

A bust of Jean-Pierre Bernհardt, a Swiss humanist and a great friend of “Arabkir” Medical Complex, was placed in the yard of "ArBeS" Health Center. This is a sign of love and gratitude to a person with whom "Arabkir" has had a long and fruitful journey since the 1988 earthquake.   The commemoration ceremony was attended by Jean-Pierre's wife and son, Françoise Bernhardt and Martin Bernhardt, Lukas Rosenkranz, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Switzerland to Armenia, Jean-Pierre's Armenian colleagues, friends and students.   "If I start telling the story of our friendship, our plans, difficulties and successes, it will take days to present it all. What you see today in the "Arabkir" Medical Complex, in the "ArBeS" Health Center, in the "Aparan" health camp, in what serves the Armenian people today, the Armenian children, in all that, Jean-Pierre has his contribution. We wouldn't be what we are today if Jean-Pierre wasn't in our lives and if he didn't teach us to dream. Jean-Pierre was our dear friend, our invaluable advisor, and for me personally, someone who became a brother," said Professor Ara Babloyan in his speech.   "In the short period of my diplomatic mission in Armenia, I realized that Jean-Pierre is one of the symbols of Armenia-Switzerland friendship, and his brotherhood with Professor Babloyan is the source of many programs and ideas aimed at the development of healthcare and improving the quality of children’s life in Armenia. This is invaluable," Ambassador Rosenkranz said.   The attendees were also welcomed by the children from the kindergarten, who presented their warm performances in Armenian and French. Having a kindergarten was also Jean-Pierre's idea.    Ara Babloyan and Martin Bernhardt planted trees next to Jean-Pierre's bust, hoping that they will live long, like the friendship between Armenia and Switzerland, "Arabkir" and Jura canton, Ara Babloyan and Jean-Pierre Bernhardt.    Martin Bernhardt thanked them for the extremely exciting and important event, noting that the most exciting thing are the children, who were always in Jean-Pierre's mind and dreams. "And now we are happy that Jean-Pierre is here at “ArBeS” with this work so alive, so natural, simple and modest like him," said Martin Bernhardt, giving special thanks to the author of the sculpture, Emin Petrosyan.

10-year-old Arin has been in "Arabkir" Medical Center for several months. The tragic car accident changed the life of the Iraqi-Armenian child, leaving her without parental care and causing a number of health conditions.   The little girl was transferred to Armenia, and with the support of the Ministry of Health and with the efforts of the medical team of "Arabkir" she has progressed well.   The Public TV covered Arin's story.