World Vision strives for quality primary healthcare in Armenia by investing in professional medical education

169 doctors of primary healthcare units from six marzes (regions) of Armenia received up-to-date quality training thanks to comprehensive lectures organised by World Vision. The training aimed to support primary healthcare providers in their continuing education practices imposed by Armenia’s Government to ensure that quality healthcare services are available throughout the country.

The three-day training reached family doctors, pediatricians and specialists from primary healthcare units of Shirak, Lori, Gegharkunik, Syunik, Tavush and Aragatsotn regions serving about 200 communities.

The topics for the training sessions were selected based on the participants' needs. 'In rural medical centres usually there is one family doctor and most often the specialists are based in regional hospitals which are hard-to-reach for the majority of rural population. If a family doctor is equipped with up-to-date skills on different topics he/she is able to provide quality services right in the community,” says Armine Gharajyan, family doctor for Vardablur rural community ambulatory unit serving 4,000 citizens, among which 1,250 children.

Theoretical and practical lectures were delivered by the country’s best medical practitioners, among them leading pediatricians Hrachuhi Ghazaryan, Lilit Marutyan, development pediatrician Irina Tovmasyan and pediatric hematologist Gevorg Tamamyan.

'This training is like a treasure for us; best practitioners in the country were not only giving us knowledge on recent medical updates, but we were also analysing practical cases. We established personal contacts with the trainers that will allow us to refer to them when needed,’ says Armine Gharajyan.

'These lectures are in line with World Vision’s goal of ensuring sustainable high quality healthcare services in Armenia’s remote communities. One well-trained doctor ensures high quality services to thousands of citizens, including continuous monitoring and guidance on healthy lifestyle, childcare and development,” says Karine Abelyan, World Vision Armenia Early Childhood Programme Manager.

The state’s Continuing Medical Education Programme imposes obligatory training sessions for doctors to gain 220 credits annually to be eligible to continue their medical practices; otherwise the doctors can no longer practice. There are certain accredited educational facilities that provide relevant training to doctors, but these trainings are paid and mostly provided in the capital Yerevan city, while the travelling and accommodation are costly.