April 27-30, 2011, Yerevan, Armenia – The Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) and its beneficiary communities participated in the First International Nursing Congress in Armenia, which was aimed at Transforming Nursing Leadership. COAF staff presented on its comprehensive rural healthcare program, and the local health professional from Les Enfants de Jésus Regional Healthcare Center located in COAF-sponsored community of Miasnikian presented on the role of TB nurses and the importance of nursing care for TB patients treated at the Center. Serving fifteen communities in the Baghramian Region of Armavir Marz of Armenia whose combined population is more than 22,000, the facility was fully renovated in 2009 with the generous support of Mr. George Pagoumian and family and is a crucial center for health care delivery in the region. Organized by the Armenian Association of Nursing Administrators and Yerevan State Medical College Erebouni in conjunction with the Global Education Development Institute (GEDI) and the Armenian Ministry of Health, the First International Nursing Congress in Armenia attracted about 100 abstracts from Armenia and abroad and united the world’s best minds in nursing, including many renowned scholars from international university and college faculties, and the top nursing associations, forums and alliances. The pilot Congress in Armenia aims at developing global partnerships for advancing nursing education, practice, administration and policy development. It also seeks to advance and improve the coverage and quality of health services and highlight the contributions of nurses and their role as leaders in improving the health of individuals, families and the community as a whole. COAF was represented at the Congress by Dr. Azatuhi Hakobyan, Phthisiatrician from Les Enfants de Jésus Regional Healthcare Center and Dr. Lusine Sahakyan, COAF’s Health Program Educator, both of whom made fifteen-minute presentations. Other COAF-supported participants in the event included nine registered nurses from the communities of Karakert, Miasnikian, Dalarik and Shenik. In the words of Dr. Sahakyan, “COAF’s continuous efforts towards improving the quality of health services in the rural communities of Armenia have produced tangible results for the past few years with respect to improved communication among doctors and patients, increased level of perceived responsibility towards patient care and education, and, of course, capacity building for local health professionals. And in this respect, the initiative shown through Dr. Hakobyan’s participation in today’s important event and the high level of her preparedness is a great testimony to COAF’s tremendous progress made in the rural areas of the Baghramian Region so far. The four days of activities for the Congress will not only provide much needed professional development opportunities for rural nurses, but will also strengthen their role as leaders in community health, provide a forum for experience/information exchange and integrate Armenian nurses into the global nursing community. COAF is happy to be a part of this important step for the rural healthcare services community, which will ultimately lead to improved public health”. According to Dr. Hakobyan, “Tuberculosis (TB) presents a real threat to the population of the world, including the Armenian people. The annual death toll from this dangerous disease constitutes around 2,000,000 people. It follows, therefore, that prevention and effective treatment of TB are of utmost importance in primary health care. Thus, TB Nurses play a critical role in the early detection and prevention of pulmonary diseases, as well as in educating patients and community members, raising awareness about the disease. Our recently renovated and re-opened state-of-the-art Healthcare Center enables us to carry out our work with pleasure and pride, significantly benefiting the health and well-being of the children and adults living in the Baghramian Region”. Les Enfants de Jésus Regional Healthcare Center, dedicated in loving memory of Anita and Kevork Pagoumian, and reconstructed and refurbished by COAF through the generous financial support from the Pagoumian Family Charitable Trust, is the only facility delivering primary and specialized healthcare services in the Baghramian region. Besides vaccinations and primary care services, Les Enfants de Jésus Regional Healthcare Center also offers specialty care in Neurology, Endocrinology, Ophthalmology, Emergency Medicine, Obstetrics, Gynecology, Otolaryngology, Dermatology, Oncology, Psychiatry, Physical Therapy, and in the detection of Pulmonary Diseases, providing referrals, follow-up treatment and continuing therapy as needed. The Center’s diagnostic capabilities include X-Ray and ultrasound equipment, as well as a modern laboratory. In addition, the Center houses a pharmacy, fitness center and dental clinic. In addition to the primary goal of the Congress to bring together various perspectives on global nursing leadership and advance the nursing profession in Armenia, the First International Nursing Congress in Armenia held from April 27-30, 2011 will touch upon such important topics as continuing education in nursing, management in nursing, the importance of professional networking through nursing associations and global partnerships, the role of nurses in such areas as maternal and child health, emergency and intensive care, health of young people, nursing care for HIV/AIDS, TB and Hepatitis and specialized nursing care for the elderly and individuals with special needs. # # # # # About COAF’s Program in Healthcare Since the start of its Model Village Project in 2004 and its subsequent expansion into the Model Cluster Program in early 2006, COAF has consistently funded and facilitated the training of healthcare personnel in the cluster’s clinics and health posts, as part of its capacity building program. COAF physicians have monitored village clinics, conducted hands-on clinical training and, working closely with village physicians and nurses, have provided updated approaches in patient care and Continuing Medical Education in primary care and a number of medical specialties. Additionally, trainings have been held in the proper use of the equipment provided, such as X-Ray and ultrasound equipment, microscopes, ECG, centrifuges, weight and height scales and ophthalmoscopes. Community Health Education, as an integral part of COAF’s Program in Healthcare, has raised villagers’ awareness on a number of issues, including healthy lifestyle, prenatal care, prevention of childhood diseases, early detection of certain cancers, reproductive health and rights, first aid, adolescent health, chronic disease management, common infectious diseases and proper prescription drug use. This has been coupled with increased patient education on diabetes, asthma, heart disease and hypertension. About COAF The Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) is a non-profit organization, founded in 2000 in New York City that works to secure a brighter future for children in Armenia’s impoverished rural villages through improved education, health care, community life and economic conditions. With the introduction of a unique clustering approach in 2004, COAF currently implements a Comprehensive Rural Development Program in ten villages in the Baghramian Region of Armavir marz and two villages in Aragatsotn marz. Over the past six years, more than 22,000 rural residents including 5,000 children from the communities of Argina, Arteni, Baghramian, Dalarik, Hushakert, Lernagog, Karakert, Miasnikian, Shenik and Yervandashat have benefited from COAF’s continuous development projects and the improved schools, kindergartens, health clinics, sport complexes, community centers, capacity building trainings and workshops, and business opportunities that have resulted.

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