July 25, 2014 - 13:31 AMT
Report on neonatal care presented in Yerevan

VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian and Director of BirthLink Kathy Mellor presented a report on cooperation aimed at improving the care of sick and premature babies, and thereby reducing neonatal mortality rate in Armenia.

The project commenced in 2008, and supported eleven neonatal departments in Yerevan and twenty-three departments in seven regions of Armenia, and will continue in 2014 as well and will include nine hospitals in Armavir, Ararat, Kotayk, Aragats and Syunik regions. From 2008 to 2014 VivaCell-MTS has donated about AMD 535 million for the implementation of the project.

“Cooperation with BirthLink is an example of a sustainable project, the results of which can be seen in a long term. Neonatal mortality is a real threat worldwide, and Armenia is not an exception. So we joined hands with BirthLink and made a choice to fight for the life of each newborn in Armenia,” said VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian.

VivaCell-MTS and BirthLink launched the project in September 2009 at a conference in the Medical University in Yerevan. The primary objective of the project has been to reduce neonatal mortality across Armenia, through the provision of new equipment, improvement of neonatal facilities, and updating knowledge and education to the doctors and nurses working with babies.

Birthlink was established in the UK by a neonatal nurse practitioner and two midwives to provide support and education to doctors, nurses and midwives in disadvantaged countries where maternal and new-born care is severely compromised by lack of education and basic resources. Birthlink is coordinated by a UK-based group of healthcare professionals with experience of running educational projects and training programs in Armenia, Russia and Vietnam.