COAF opens new health center in Dsegh village to enhance rural healthcare in Armenia

YEREVAN, JULY 16, ARMENPRESS. The Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) officially opened the new Dsegh Health Center in the village of Dsegh, Lori region.

The opening ceremony was attended by the RA Minister of Health Anahit Avanesyan, Lori’s Governor Aram Ghazaryan, government representatives, residents from Dsegh and neighboring communities, and COAF’s CEO Liana Ghaltakchyan..

In collaboration with the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia, COAF has also launched a pilot program at the Dsegh Health Center aimed at reforming primary healthcare. This initiative strives to provide high-quality, cost-effective primary care for rural populations, improve health outcomes, and establish a sustainable and replicable model for rural health services in Armenia.

The event commenced with official speeches and a message from COAF founder Garo Armen. This was followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a tour of the new health center.

In her opening speech, COAF’s CEO Liana Ghaltaghchyan emphasized the importance of enhancing Armenia's healthcare system. "For more than 20 years, COAF has been improving primary health care services, rebuilding infrastructure, and training specialists in rural communities across Armenia. The new, scalable health center in Dsegh is a critical initiative that we launched in 2021 in response to the pandemic, which had highlighted the need for robust primary healthcare. Our dedicated team of COAF doctors will continue to play an active role in this pilot program. We hope everyone who visits this center leaves healthier."

The Dsegh Health Center features a modern laboratory, comfortable consultation and emergency care rooms, a waiting area, and a dental wing. It aims to serve approximately 4,000 residents from Dsegh and six of its neighboring communities in Lori.

Lori’s Governor Aram Ghazaryan congratulated the residents and expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Health and COAF for implementing this significant project. "The opening of the Dsegh Health Center is a milestone for all of us. I thank the Ministry of Health and COAF for their dedication to improving healthcare in the Lori region."

Minister of Health Anahit Avanesyan highlighted the center as a result of effective collaboration. "Today, we are not just opening the doors to a new building; we are unveiling a completely new model for a health center. Our medical staff has undergone extensive training, gained new experiences, and adopted a new work culture. This achievement was possible because many dedicated individuals worked together toward a shared vision. I extend special thanks to Mr. Garo Armen, who has tirelessly contributed to the creation of transformative centers in healthcare, education, tourism, and the economy in our country."

The Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization aimed at improving the quality of life in rural Armenia, with a particular focus on children and youth. COAF’s target development areas are education, healthcare, as well as social and economic development. COAF launched its programs in 2004, starting in one village and expanding to over 82 villages and communities across the country with an investment of more than $70 million, impacting well over 100,000 people across rural Armenia.