Liver Transplant for Baby Narek
06 November 2024

At just 5 days old, baby Narek was diagnosed with biliary atresia—a congenital condition involving the absence of intrahepatic bile ducts. His only chance for survival was a liver transplant.

Narek was immediately placed under the care of gastroenterologist-hepatologists at the "Arabkir" Medical Center. According to protocol, he needed to grow to 7-8 kilograms—typically achieved by 6-7 months old—before he could undergo the transplant.

Narek was growing well with his mother’s milk and reached the required weight. The operation was scheduled for November 1, and our dedicated team of doctors and staff prepared for the procedure. However, an unexpected turn occurred: due to an acute respiratory infection, Narek quickly developed liver failure, disrupting all prior plans.

Our team faced the immense challenge of arranging the operation within hours. In what seemed improbable, everything came together. Colleagues from Minsk and Korea arrived to assist, and the transplant took place on October 29. Narek’s devoted father selflessly donated part of his liver.

The surgery went smoothly, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to all the specialists involved. Currently, Narek and his doctors are navigating the challenging post-surgical journey, making progress each day with increasingly positive outcomes.

During this critical time, as always, The Health Fund for Children of Armenia, led by Armen Martirosyan, stood by our side. The Fund’s financial support, made possible by generous public donations, is invaluable not only to our medical center but to our country, as the surgery costs far exceed what the state can cover. This collaboration between the state, charitable organizations, and medical institutions exemplifies the power of unity for the sake of a child's life.

Thank you to everyone who contributed ❤️
Wishing health to Narek and all children ❤️

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Years of Tireless Work Recognized by the WHO
Years of Tireless Work Recognized by the WHO   The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially designated Arabkir Medical Center-Institute of Child and Adolescent Health (Arabkir MC-ICAH) as a “WHO Collaborating Centre” in the field of child and adolescent health. This recognition places Armenia among an elite group of nine countries in the WHO European Region, including Great Britain, France, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Norway, and Russia.     An event was held today at "Arabkir" BH-ICAH to celebrate this milestone. Distinguished attendees included Minister of Health Anahit Avanesyan, Deputy Minister Armen Gasparyan, Head of the WHO Armenia Office Siddhartha Datta, UN Resident Coordinator Françoise Jacquet, and representatives from UNICEF, UNFPA, the UN World Food Program, and other local and international organizations.     Professor Ara Babloyan, Scientific Director of Arabkir MC-ICAH, welcomed guests, expressing gratitude for their presence on this significant occasion. Reflecting on the institute’s journey since its establishment in 2003, he noted initial skepticism about its purpose. However, the institute's accomplishments have had a profound impact not only in Armenia but also internationally. These efforts, focused on child development, adolescent health, school health, and pediatric care quality, have earned the trust and recognition of the WHO. Arabkir MC-ICAH continues to lead transformative programs in alignment with Armenia's Ministry of Health strategies, contributing to improved health outcomes for children and adolescents.     Sergey Sargsyan, Head of the Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, presented the Institute's activities across various domains, ranging from educational, research, and informational programs to practical medicine. Special emphasis was placed on rehabilitation, newborn screening, rapid response initiatives, and training for nurses and allied health professionals. Notably, one of the most recent achievements is that just a few days ago, the European Council of Pediatrics granted the Arabkir MC-ICAH the status of a pediatric allergology training center meeting European standards.     The attendees were also greeted and congratulated via videoconference by Martin Weber, Head of the Child and Adolescent Health Program at the WHO European Office, who is responsible for quality assurance in medical care.     Siddhartha Datta, Head of the WHO Armenia Office, expressed high appreciation for the work of Arabkir MC-ICAH over the years. He remarked on numerous occasions where he was deeply impressed by the center’s exceptional contributions, which have consistently demonstrated a level of excellence. This outstanding work, he noted, served as the basis for the WHO granting such a prestigious status at the regional level. In his speech, Dr. Datta emphasized the center’s extensive expertise in child and adolescent health, disease prevention, and treatment, as well as its data-driven, research-oriented approaches. He added that such centers of excellence, with their significant achievements and accumulated experience, have the potential to receive recognition as WHO Collaborating Centers, which opens doors for broader collaboration and even greater success.     Minister Anahit Avanesyan, in her speech, described the occasion as historic and of great public and state significance. She stated: "We are proud that this center is the first in Armenia to receive the status of a WHO Collaborating Center. Despite limited resources, our country continuously expands programs aimed at preserving, restoring, and improving the health of children and adolescents. This policy remains a priority."     Upon receiving the document confirming the WHO Collaborating Center status, Ara Babloyan expressed his gratitude, stating: "We are happy to not only learn from the world’s leading health organizations but also share our knowledge and experience with other countries. This is the formula for humanity's progress."