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Armenian Health Alliance, Inc. , a 501 ( c ) 3 NGO:
- In 1994, Dr. Najarian founded the Primary Care Center of Gyumri, serving
the city most devastated by the earthquake of 1988. Three doctors and
nurses trained in primary care provide free care to over 400 patients
a month, most of who are indigent and elderly. In the early years medicine
was provided to all patients free of charge.
- In 1995, founded the Arpen Center for Expectant Mothers in the city
of Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno-Karabagh. Since its opening more
than 7000 pregnant women have received free assistance consisting of
food, clothing, soap, and other basic necessities including vitamins
when available. The Arpen Center also serves the women of Shushi, Hadrut
and Bertzor . Today, the Arpen Center provides assistance to pregnant
women with two or more children.
- In addition, during the years after the earthquake and up through
1996 – assistance to all of the hospitals of Gyumri, especially
the Maternity Hospital and the Samaritar Hospital; assistance to various
hospitals in Yerevan – the Pediatric Infectious Disease Hospital
(under Dr. Ara Asoyan), the Malatia Hospital (renovation of the intensive
care units – Dr. Armen Piruzyan), assistance the Pediatric Orthopedic
Hospital (Dr. Karen Koloyan).
- Shipped (by container and air via UAF) millions of dollars worth of
urgently needed medicine to these hospitals when there was no medicine
in addition to providing needed equipment. In the years after the earthquake
the following is some of what was sent: 10 new incubators to various
hospitals throughout Armenia, cardiac monitors, anesthesia machines,
and electrocardiogram machines.
- Special assistance to Gyumri was sent over many years given the difficulties
faced by that city, including antibiotics and other medicines, surgical
supplies, cardiac monitors, an emergency generator for the Maternity
Hospital’s surgical room (and the money to buy the benzene for
it), IV fluids, colchicine for ‘Armenian Disease,’ new infant
incubators (10), oxygen hoods for new borns, layettes for newborn infants,
and infant formula. A copy machine was also provided to the Health Ministry
offices. (Dr. Ruben Khatchatrian, Chief Doctor of Shirak)
In Addition:
- Pyunik – assistance with equipment and clothing for the handicapped
children early on when the organization was first started
- In Artsakh, during the war years, Carolann and George Najarian regularly
traveled to Artsakh. They responded to the medical needs of the hospitals
caused by the blockade and the war. Starting in 1990, medical supplies,
bandages, medicine, equipment, and antiseptics were shipped. Thousands
of first-aid kits were distributed to the population.
- In 1994, humanitarian assistance went to the Maternity Hospital in
Stepanagert; assistance to the Regional Hospital of Shushi (current
chief Dr. Vigen Khatchatrian); the purchase and shipment to Martakert
of two ambulances; the re-supply regularly of tires for the ambulance
(until 1999). During the years 1996-1999 we shipped many containers
of hospital equipment, furniture, and various supplies to Stepanakert
and Shushi.
- Sponsored the renovation of the intensive care unit at the Children’s
Hospital; and more recently, the partial renovation of the Pediatric
Infectious Disease Hospital both in Stepanagert (Dr. Zoya Lazarian,
Minister of Health of Artsakh).
- Lachin/Berdzor: Medicines and medical supplies; assistance to the
orphanage; assistance to various villages; schools and the orphanage
in Berdzor (Deputy Alexan Hakopyan)
- Sent to Berdzor -- dental chairs and other needed supplies to establish
a dental care facility in Berdzor, paid the salary of the dentist for
the first year of operation (now the program is run by a group of dentists
here in Boston)
- YMCA in Armenia: two container loads of material for sewing clothing
(1996?)
- Huys Orphanage, Gyumri: established 4 workshops for the children and
currently pay the salaries for the 4 teachers (varbeds). The workshops
are in sewing, radio repair, shoe repair, and painting.
- Stipends for disabled veterans – a program funded by a caring
family in the Boston area. The money is in an account and three times
a year 135 veterans receive the interest (they receive $10-14 each --
not much – but some help.) We are trying to find ways to put these
veterans to work – but so far have not been able to achieve this.
- During the years of the blockade: we provided emergency generators
to the hospitals and kerosene heaters for the surgical and delivery
rooms. (Maternity Hospital, Gyumri and Stepanakert) (1993-95)
- Assistance to various villages in Artsakh: to KarinDag, Soosh;, Soos;
and Matchkalashen. In Matchkalashen, we have rebuilt the kindergarten
and paid teachers salaries and for food for the children to keep the
kindergarten open – for approximately 5 years. (Starting in 2003
we only pay the salaries, the villagers provide the children’s
food)
- Dr. Carolann Najarian regularly visited various villages, took medicine,
examined and treated patients over the years. Her assistance was most
felt in the village of Matchkalashen and in the region of Bertzor where
she slept at the local hospital (Dr. Artsakh Bernoutian.
- Village of Tzeedzernatagh – paid for TV lines to be pulled
so that the village could get TV from Armenia. Also provided TV sets
to the village. (this cost, as I recall around $800) (2002)
- Support for needy children and extremely poor families in Artsakh
through various support programs when these families come to our attention.
- Scholarships – for needy university and medical students and
medical/surgical residents in Yerevan and Artsakh.
- Funding to purchase books for Artsakh University
- Stipends for disabled veterans – a program funded by a caring
family in the Boston area. The money is in an account and three times
a year 135 veterans receive the interest (they receive $10-14 each --
not much – but some help.) We are trying to find ways to put these
veterans to work – but so far have not been able to achieve this.
Assistance to Armenia/Artsakh: Personal Funds:
- 2000 -- the Najarians sponsored the renovation of the 4th c. Basilica,
Tzeedzernavank The church was completed and dedicated in October 2001.
(We were not present because of 9/11) ($55,000 for the church, $2000
for the road)
- Yerevan University faculty - stipends to the Faculty of Oriental Studies
to help the faculty remain at the University during the very difficult
years (1993-95 – I think these were the years.)
- Provided the first fax and copy machines to Yerevan City Hall when
this kind of equipment was not yet available in Armenia.
- Ambulance for Artsakh shipped through Caroline Cox and Zori Babayan.
($20,000)
Other activities:
- Dr. Carolann helped start and facilitated the Adopt
a Sister project which was run by a group of Armenian women from California.
This project was aimed at helping the refugee families from Getashen
by providing the women with a stipend every three months. Over six hundred
women received assistance through this project which lasted for nearly
four years. (1993 – 1997 – I think the dates are right).
- Assistance for the building of the 13th c. Cilicia
ship, Ayas, now on Lake Sevan - 2003
- The Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry Trust the
initial funding of $30,000 to allow the registry to get started. (total
donated to the ABMDRT $55,000)
- Funded the first Water Mill in Artsakh
- 4 - Benzene mowers for the City of Yerevan (shipped
from US)
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