YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 22, ARMENPRESS. In accordance with the assignment of President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan over proportionate development of provinces, modernization of regional health system of Armenia is conducted constantly. Director of Health Project Implementation Unit of the Health Ministry of Armenia Nelson Zuloyan told “Armenpress” about this, referring to the program of modernization of regional health system.

Question: Mr. Zuloyan, on February 17 the performance results of the Ministry of Health of Armenia for the year 2015 were summed up with Prime Minister of Armenian. According to the press release, the Prime Minister is satisfied with the work done. Can you present, how was the year for the regional health system modernization?

Answer: It is an honour to receive such evaluation by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, which at the same time is very obligatory. Indeed,   the works implemented by the Ministry of Health, its subdivisions and medical community in 2015, which lead to the visible and real results, got positive assessment by the Prime Minister. Let me present one of its most vivid examples: by the end of the year while our countrymen were busy with New Year preparations, the whole system, led by the Minister Muradyan, was fighting against the so called “swine” flu (H1N1) epidemics and for reduction of its consequences.

As for the works of the Health Project Implementation Unit, let me emphasize that the year was really unprecedented for us. Thus, we have completed the modernization of 4 regional multifunctional medical facilities during a year. The long-waited by the population Berd medical Center was put into operation in the borderline Berd city. Chambarak Medical Center was reconstructed and equipped by the saved funds under the Project.

The Kapan Medical Center, in addition to  Goris and Kajaran Medical Center of Syunik Province, was renovated and provided with new equipment. With special pride I would like to note that a new modern Medical Center, which meets the international standards, was constructed in the remote Meghri region and I am sure, that due to its powerful therapeutic and diagnostic capabilities, it will provide services not only to the regional but also to the neighbouring Iran population.

During implementation of the projects funds were saved, which made it possible to reconstruct 2 and build 11 medical ambulatories, as a result, primary health care services become more accessible for the population of our provinces.

The above mentioned is one of the practical implementations components of Strategy of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia, as the policy of the Ministry implies to shift from treatment to prevention of diseases, on the frontline of which are the ambulatory-policlinic medical facilities.

Question: Since you talked about disease prevention, I would like to ask about the mass-screening program that was launched in 2015.

Answer: As most of our citizens are aware of, the free of charge screening program was launched in 2015, which is directed to prevention and early detection of the most common non-communicable diseases. I should state that the number of examinations is quite impressive. In particular, 526,202 tests were implemented during January-December of the last year, including the citizens who passed 58,602 PAP test, 197,000 blood glucose and about 270,490 arterial hypertension detection screening tests.

Since it is three-year project, we are not yet satisfied with the results we already have and we expect even more active participation of the population. For this purpose we are currently doubled the number of the activities, aimed to raise the awareness of the population.

Question: Mr. Zuloyan, what kind of projects have you planned for the current year?

Answer: As I mentioned before, the last year was really unprecedented in terms of the volume of the works done. At the same time, the planned activities differing with their exclusiveness are important not only for Armenia but also for the entire region.

I am talking primarily about the modernization of the Hematology Center after Prof. Yeolyan of the health Ministry of Armenia and the creation works of the Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit and stem cells laboratory, which is first time in Armenia and is implemented under patronage of the First Lady Rita Sargsyan, as well as the “Grant Life” Armenian Charitable Foundation.

The Center, which has regional importance, is planned to put into operation in a few months. Before the Center will provide services to the population, six experienced hematologists will be sent to leading Research Centers abroad to pass training courses.

In the new Center the diagnostics and treatment of the blood and hematopoetic system diseases will be done, using modern equipment and approaches, as well as bone marrow transplantation will be carried out for the first time in Armenia, both for children and adults. As a result, such high-tech invention will become accessible for Armenian population and the patients will not be forced to travel abroad for treatment.

The process of Cancer Register creation is close to completion, which will facilitate the process of the cancer registration in the republic, creating new opportunities for the scientific research of their prevalence, risk factors and groups, thus contributing to the increase of effectiveness in fighting against cancer.

Question: Are some works planned in provinces?

Answer: I would like to inform our readers that according to the President’s regional proportionate development directive, the modernization activities of the health system in provinces will be continuous process. The reconstruction works of the Artashat Medical Center and the construction of new hospital facility in Sevan city will be launched this year.

And, surly the massive screening project will be continued throughout the entire territory of Armenia. Taking this opportunity, once again I would like to exhort our citizens to actively participate in the examinations, and remind that the best way to fight against diseases is to prevent.

As for cancer, I would like to quote the words of one of the recovered patients’: “The cancer can start the fight but I am the only one who can finish it with victory”, in other words, in case of early detection, cancer is not judgment anymore but often manageable and curable disease.