Armenian Health Alliance

Click here for a timeline of the assistance the AHA has provided in Armenia and Artsakh

CLICK HERE TO READ THE AHA 2007 NEWSLETTER

Founded in 1989 in response to the earthquake in Armenia, and dedicated to improving the health status and quality of life of Armenians, the Armenian Health Alliance, Inc. (AHA). In keeping with its mandate, AHA has undertaken many project over the years many of which are listed below. In addition, AHA, has provided assistance in many other ways – through scholarships to deserving but needy students, publishing various books, purchasing books for Artsakh State University, medical care in the US for young patients, and special assistance to families in very great need. Over the past 16 years, the AHA has distributed medical supplies to almost every region of Armenia and Artsakh, and helped countless numbers of hospitals. Now, the work is more focused with concentration on the two projects listed below:

PRIMARY CARE CENTER

Established in Gyumri in Sept. 1994, the PCC provides free medical care and medicine to anyone who comes to the Center. Three doctors and three nurses who have been trained in basic primary care work at the Center and receive their salaries from the Armenian Health Alliance. Approximately 400 patients a month receive treatment there monthly for chronic as well as acute medical illnesses including hypertension, cardiac disease, diabetes, pneumonia, bronchitis, allergies, skin diseases and ulcer disease. Most of our patients are elderly, have chronic illnesses, and are indigent. The Center was renovated in 2004 and had its official opening on Jan. 26, 2005.

ARPEN CENTER for Expectant Mothers

Established in Artsakh in Dec. 1995, the Arpen Center provides food, vitamins, soap, clothing and other basic necessities to over 800 hundred pregnant women every month. Each woman receives assistance monthly starting with the 3rd month of her pregnancy, including one month after she delivers her baby. Over 7000 women have received assistance since Arpen opened. Arpen serves the cities of Stepanagert and Shushi, and the regions of Kashatagh (Lachin), Askeran, Hadrut, and Kalbajar. In addition, assistance is sent to the Armenian women of Akalkalag in Georgia.

In addition to these two major and ongoing projects, the Armenian Health Alliance has undertaken other projects depending on resources from generous donors and funds available. These are, for the most part, completed.

• Adopt a Sister Project -- support for the refugee women of Gedashen (funds raised by women of California, spear-headed by Lilit Marzbetuny;
• Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Stepanakert –renovation through bequeth from Nazik Tilerian;
• Orphans assistance project in Stepanakert --supported by the Lucy Duncan Fund);
• Renovation of the Pediatric Infectious Disease Hospital, Stepanakert --special donations from Omartian funds and K. George and Carolann Najarian
• Kindergarten, Matchkalashen, Artsakh. Total renovation of the kindergarten, (funds secured through Sara Omartian). The Armenian Health Alliance continues to provide salaries to the teachers so that the kindergarten can remain open;
• Medical and Cardiac Intensive Care Units renovation, Malatia Regional Hospital, Yerevan --special donation from K. George and Carolann Najarian;
• Regional Hospital of Shushi – assistance to the hospital and some renovation of surgical room;
• Fund for wounded veterans in Artsakh and their families – special donation in the name of Kazar Gosharian through his family Joseph and Lucy Almasian;
• Dental clinic in Berdzor (Lachin) -- established through initial donation of dental chairs from Nishan Atinizian, supported by the Armenian Health Alliance, Inc and then carried on by the Armenian Dental Association of New England.

The Armenian Health Alliance continues to work in Armenia and Artsakh, a grassroots organization, responding to various needs throughout the years. It is an all volunteer organization, with little overhead.