PRIMARY HEALTH CARE INITIATIVE: ARMENIA

Country Background
Nestled between Turkey and the Republic of Georgia, Hellenes living in Armenia can trace their ancestry back to as early as the 8th Century B.C. Today, approximately 8,000 to 10,000 persons of Hellenic ancestry live in Armenia, mostly in the two major cities of Yerevan and Alaverdi.

The disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991 resulted in dramatic lifestyle changes for Armenians. Health care reforms established a fee for basic health care services that is financially out of reach for the majority of its citizens. Closure of Soviet factories has created massive unemployment, adding to the economic turmoil.

Health Care Needs
The Armenian health care system is chronically under funded and provides no equitable access to the general population. Like Albania, cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death, followed by cancer and stroke. Close to 90 percent of women do not receive post-natal care and over 80 percent of the children are malnourished. A government that once provided 100 percent of health care now provides only 5 percent.

SAE's Health Care Center
In September 2001, SAE established a health care center in Alaverdi, Armenia to provide both primary and special medical care to more that 3,000 Hellenes and their neighbors monthly. More than $6 million worth of pharmaceuticals and supplies have been distributed by SAE. A SAE Medical Mobile Unit travels to rural, remote villages to provide basic medical care and visiting nurses stations in four villages helps to offer more immediate and basic care until patients who need further assistance are able to travel to the SAE clinic in Alaverdi.

For the future, SAE hopes to increase the number of nurses' stations and expand the PHCI to Yerevan.

Support SAE's PHCI mission
in Armenia

ENLARGE PHOTO

Andrew A. Athens (center) and Dr. Charles Kanakis (far left) along with dignitaries from Greece and US attend grand opening of the SAE Health Care Center in Alaverdi, Armenia in September 2001.

ENLARGE PHOTO

The SAE Medical Mobile Unit in Alaverdi visits 4 villages every month.

ENLARGE PHOTO

SAE's medical program in Armenia provided more than $1 million (US) worth of pharmaceuticals in 2001.

What is World SAE? | Projects & Initiatives | News & Media
History | How can I help? | Contact Us | HOME

Copyright ©2002 by WORLD SAE. All Rights Reserved.
Site Design by marientina@yahoo.com. Hosted and Maintained by ORAMA, Inc.