Women's Health
November 2019
NIH Armenia Residency Development and Improvement Workshop
This November marked the first step toward the new residency curriculum in Armenia, an opportunity for doctors to become true professionals ready to provide patients with evidence-based competent care upon graduation. AHABA donated a set of state of the art instruments to train residents in vaginal hysterectomy
October 2017-2018
Urogynecology Conference - Armenia
OCTOBER 2017 – Yerevan, Armenia
To advance cutting-edge surgical training in Armenia, AHABA organized a major conference on Urogynecology in Yerevan on October 10-11, 2017 in partnership with the Beglaryan medical center, Dr. Armine Harutyunyan, and Gagik Beglaryan. U.S. experts presented lectures on cutting-edge topics in female pelvic reconstruction and minimally invasive techniques in gynecology. Even more exciting, the second day of the conference featured live surgery demonstrations with simultaneous translation in the lecture hall. Presenters included Dr. Samvel Badalian, MD Ph.D. (clinical professor, Dept. of OBGYN and Urogynecology, SUNY Upstate NY) and Dr. Elena Sagayan MD, MPH (operative gynecologist at Kaiser Permanente Northern California). Among conference participants were leading specialists in operative gynecology, general OBGYNs, residents, and medical students.
OCTOBER 2018 – Ijevan, Armenia
Dr. Samuel Badalian, the Clinical Professor of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Urology, Suny Upstate Medical University, New York and Dr. Elena Sagayan, Kaiser Permanente, Livermore, California, President of AHABA have been training Armenian regional doctors in urogynecology by demonstrating live surgeries and delivering lectures on practical aspects of gynecological surgeries. About 20 doctors from Tavush, Gegharkunik, and Lori regions had a chance to partake in surgeries for half a day, and to learn the theory for the next half. The symposium became possible due to effective cooperation between FAR, Healthcare Department, AHABA and the Armenian American Health Professionals Organization, which have a joint mission to support the Armenian health professionals and to improve healthcare system in Armenia.
October 2016
OBGYN Consultations COAF Clinics - Armenia
On behalf of AHABA, medical supplies were donated to local polyclinics and for a home delivery in Oktemberyan marz. In total, 36 women received free gynecological exams and cervical cancer screening with the help and participation of physicians and volunteers of Children Of Armenia Fund (COAF)
October 2016
OBGYN Consultations at Belgaryan Center - Armenia
Graciously hosted by The Beglaryan Center, in October of 2016 AHABA organized a free gynecological screening event. A team of OBGYN residents, social workers and nurses lead by Dr. Elena Sagayan and Dr. Armine Haroutinian, conducted cervical cancer and STD screening for women, victims of domestic violence, and beneficiaries of the Women’s Resource Center in Yerevan.
October 2014
Cervical Cancer Screening and STD Detection - Kapan, Armenia
Women’s health is one of the most important issues facing Armenia, yet despite the current efforts of governmental programs, statistical indicators of women’s health are lagging behind those of the developed world. Many of women’s diseases could be prevented if appropriate screening programs were implemented at the population level. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer affecting Armenian women age 15-44. It has a high mortality rate; it affects relatively young and fertile population of women, leading to loss of productive members of society. According to WHO data, only 17% of women age 30-60 have had a PAP smear in Armenia from 2000-2006, and HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) testing has simply never been available.
AHABA’s women’s health project this year aimed at improvement of cervical cancer screening in Armenia, and detection and treatment of STDs. During our trip to Kapan in October, we performed PAP smears in 55 women aged 25 to 65, and diagnosed STD’s. We offered treatment for common gynecological conditions to women living in Kapan and surrounding areas. We also trained local obstetrician/gynecologists and midwifes in current methods of cervical cancer detection, and demonstrated the treatment techniques for precancerous conditions. We donated the testing equipment and supplies, and covered the cost of laboratory work.