In 2015, the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) organized a groundbreaking conference on pediatric intensive care, aiming to reduce child mortality rates by enhancing the skills and knowledge of Armenia’s provincial pediatricians.
Held from June 29 to 30, the conference brought together 20 participants from various Armenian provinces and the capital, along with esteemed trainers from renowned US universities and medical institutions.
FAR Healthcare Programs Director Hambarzdum Simonyan is confident that the conference marked a significant breakthrough for Armenian pediatric intensive care providers, many of whom had not updated their skills since the collapse of the USSR. “Even nine years later, we still receive feedback with requests to continue the tradition and organize another pediatric intensive care training for field providers,” he says. “Unfortunately, our healthcare system and pediatric intensive care services still lag behind global standards and need urgent improvements.”
Pediatric intensive therapy is more important than ever due to new diagnosis and treatment methods. However, there are no or limited opportunities for the high-quality courses needed, and this gap makes it hard for healthcare providers in Armenia to offer the best care to children, thus underscoring the urgent need for FAR’s training programs.
To address these challenges, Hambarzdum Simonyan advocates for a comprehensive approach. “FAR, as a core advocate for healthcare innovations, is ready to launch another seminar and training for pediatric intensive care professionals from the provinces within the framework of the FAR CME program,” he asserts.
Dr. Ashot Gyulbudaghyan from “Arabkir” Medical Center recalls the impact of the 2015 training: “The pediatric intensive care training was a fantastic opportunity for us to exchange professional experiences and learn new information from our colleagues in the US. It was incredibly practical and useful, answering questions that had been neglected for many years. The book provided was invaluable, and I still use it today. I believe we should organize such a course again, involving more physicians from the provinces because they are our weak points, and we face significant human resource challenges there.”
The FAR-supported 2015 conference was a pivotal moment for pediatric intensive care in Armenia. It not only provided a much-needed update to the skills of healthcare providers but also highlighted the ongoing need for continuous professional development in this critical field.
As Armenia strives to elevate its healthcare standards to meet global benchmarks, our commitment remains crucial. The need for more training not only shows just how impactful the conference was but also highlights our ongoing commitment to improving child health outcomes in Armenia.
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