As part of the project “Improving Health in Syunik Through Access to Quality Healthcare and a Strengthened Civil Society,” the charitable health organization “Santé Arménie,” funded by the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region, the French Development Agency, and the French Embassy, is actively working to enhance medical services and training in the region.
Since 2021, the only rehabilitation centre for adults in southern Armenia has been operating in Goris, where treatment is free. Soon, “Santé Arménie” will open a children’s rehabilitation centre. This project is part of the Resilient Syunik Team Europe initiative, which aims to contribute to the sustainable socioeconomic development of the Syunik region.
“The rehabilitation centre does not solve a life-or-death issue, but just as importantly, it solves a quality of life issue.”
For over two years, 10-year-old Satenik has attended the Armenian-French day rehabilitation centre in Goris, established by the “Santé Arménie” health association. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP) at an early age, she has made significant progress through continuous therapy and care at the centre.
“Before, if she wanted to sit without her wheelchair, we had to place supports next to her. Now, she sits comfortably on her own. Hopefully, one day, she will be able to sit in a chair independently and without fear. The centre’s efforts and ours will finally pay off,” the child’s mother, Shushan, said.
The progress is evident. Previously, Satenik’s parents made the journey from Sisian to the centre daily, and now they travel three times a week for her physiotherapy sessions. Before attending the centre, the parents were able to take her to the Republican Rehabilitation Centre in Yerevan twice through a state-funded programme and arranged therapy in Sisian several times. At one point, along with other parents of children with disabilities, they raised funds to bring a physiotherapist and doctor to Sisian. However, the initiative was short-lived: it was organized with a delay of several years and for a short time, because the parents were unable to pay.
“Despite being eligible for free state-funded treatment twice a year - 28 days per session - financial difficulties, the lack of a place to stay, and leaving Satenik’s twin sister alone made it impossible for us to bring her every time. And under the state order, if you missed your scheduled treatment, you couldn’t attend on other days,” her mother explained.
Shushan MirumyanPhoto: Mediamax
According to “Santé Arménie” centre coordinator Shushan Mirumyan, Satenik’s attendance has decreased recently due to significant progress and the improvement of her parents’ financial situation. Although treatment is free, travelling back and forth daily was still a challenge for them,” she noted.
The Physical Therapy and Neuro-Orthopaedic Rehabilitation Centre was originally intended for adults, but due to the lack of alternatives, it has also been compelled to accept children. Many children with various conditions seek treatment at the centre; however, it is currently only able to serve those with cerebral palsy, as well as neurological and orthopaedic issues. In response, “Santé Arménie” decided to establish a children’s rehabilitation centre in Goris - now a reality -which will soon begin accepting patients.
Photo: Mediamax
“The rehabilitation centre does not solve a life-or-death issue, but just as importantly, it solves quality of life issues. There is no such service available south of the capital, while in Yerevan, it is quite expensive, and the state-funded programme only covers 46 days per year,” Shushan Mirumyan said.
The centre has sparked a cultural and mindset shift in the region
During the 44-day war in 2020, doctors from France and other European countries travelled to Syunik to provide professional support. “Seeing the need to carry out activities on the ground not only during the crisis, but also in the future, at the initiative of Professor Arsène Mekinian “Santé Arménie” was established. The association has been working in several key areas, one of which is rehabilitation treatment,” noted Patil Kechichian, coordinator of the organization.
Patil KechichianPhoto: Mediamax
Rehabilitation treatment at the centre is multidisciplinary, with speech therapists and psychologists working alongside kinesiologists to ensure more effective care. The centre also organizes professional trainings and seminars featuring specialists from France. Equipped with all the necessary medical equipment, the facility employs both local and European Union experts and can accommodate up to 24 patients per day. While the majority of patients initially came from Goris, approximately 30% now come from Sisian alone.
Initially, the centre primarily treated patients with cerebral palsy and soldiers injured in the war. However, the number of patients with various orthopaedic and neurological conditions has steadily increased over time.
“To maintain treatment effectiveness, we limit admissions and place patients on a waiting list, as the only alternative is traveling to Yerevan. Of course, we prioritize all acute cases, regardless of our workload, because no patient should be left in pain,” said Patil Kechichian.
In addition to addressing a significant health issue, the centre has also sparked a cultural and mind set shift in the region, Shushan Mirumyan noted. While initially, only patients in severe stages sought treatment, there is now a growing trend toward prevention.
“I place great importance on this because treating a patient with a serious health issue and getting them back on their feet is not always fully effective. If treatment begins at an early stage of the disease, it can prevent the condition from progressing to a more complex stage. The treatment process becomes shorter, easier for the patient, and the desired results are achieved more quickly,” he noted.
Over the past year, the rehabilitation centre’s activities have been supported through the “Improving Health in Syunik Through Access to Quality Healthcare and a Strengthened Civil Society” project funded by the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region, the French Development Agency, and the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
Free consultation in the villages of Syunik region
Since 2021, “Santé Arménie” has launched a mobile family medicine consultation unit in Goris, which serves 10 villages. As part of the new programme, additional mobile units have been established in Kapan and Sisian, extending services to another 21 villages. The mobile unit consists of a doctor visiting the village in a specially equipped vehicle, providing family medicine consultations and, if necessary, conducting tests, which are paid-for at medical institutions.
Photo: Mediamax
Thanks to cooperation with village nurses, residents are notified about the doctor’s visit, and depending on the number of residents, the doctor visits the village once or twice a week. During each visit, up to 12 residents are served.
“The doctor does a very important job for the villagers. I am chronically ill, with heart and blood pressure problems, but I haven’t been to the hospital for years. The expenses are high - traveling from the village to the city, paying for tests and treatment. Our doctor checks my blood pressure right here, conducts blood tests if necessary, and gives us valuable advice,” Narine, a resident of the village of Khnatsakh, said.
Photo: Mediamax
Many people, like Narine, have not seen a doctor for years, citing various reasons. One major issue is the lack of public transportation, making it difficult for villagers to reach the nearest medical facilities. Additionally, the financial and social situation of many residents plays a significant role, as only a small percentage of the population benefits from state-funded medical care.
Hakob KhachyanPhoto: Mediamax
“Year after year, we are expanding the scope of medical care in the villages: we accept everyone, regardless of age, gender, or illness. The doctor provides assistance to the best of their ability, and if a narrow specialist is required, they direct patients to the appropriate medical institutions. The doctor also helps determine whether treatment can be received through a state-funded programme. There is a need to educate and inform the population about the healthcare system because, for example, many are unaware of their rights to access state orders. Some know about it but don’t know where to begin, which services are free, and which are not,” said Hakob Khachyan, coordinator for “Santé Arménie” in Syunik region and instructor of the emergency team.
Capacity building for medical personnel and civilians
Over the past year, “Santé Arménie” has organized 13 training courses for medical personnel, including doctors and nurses, covering topics such as paediatrics, rehabilitation medicine, resuscitation, emergency care, and more. As a result, 386 medical workers have been trained. Additionally, the “Santé Arménie” website features an online medical academy where healthcare professionals can access free training and earn credits. The online platform offers 49 courses across 13 specialties.
Photo: Mediamax
To make the educational process systematic, “Santé Arménie,” in cooperation with the Goris Press Club NGO, is also conducting training for civilians on “Emergency Aid: Actions and Care.” “The results of work with medical personnel are tangible, but there was a significant gap among civilians. There are many instances where, during an emergency, citizens need to provide assistance, as medical personnel may take up to an hour to arrive, especially in rural areas. Educated and informed civilians can save lives,” Hakob Khachyan said.
The citizens’ education project was launched in the summer of 2024. By the New Year, 26 courses had been held, with more than 550 citizens participating.
Photo: Mediamax
“Santé Arménie” also organizes trainings, conferences, and experience exchanges with local and European specialists. These initiatives create opportunities to advance the healthcare sector and enhance the capabilities of medical personnel.
Anahit Baghdasaryan
“The Resilient Syunik Team Europe” initiative is the joint undertaking of the European Union, the European Investment Bank, EU Member states - Austria, Czechia, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, and Switzerland also joining as an external partner. The initiative aims to contribute to the sustainable socioeconomic development of the Syunik region.
This article was published with the financial support of the European Union. Its content is the sole responsibility of Mediamax and does not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union and Austrian Development Agency.
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