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American
University of Armenia
To
Collaborate
with Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia
Yerevan,
Armenia, Nov.12-At the invitation of the Ministry of Health
(MOH) of the Republic of Armenia, the American University of
Armenia (AUA) entered into an affiliation agreement with the
Ministry's School for Health Care Management and Administration
(SHCMA). This agreement further strengthens the close working
relationship between the AUA College of Health Sciences and
the Ministry of Health.
According to University President and Dean of the College of
Health Sciences, Dr. Horoutune Armenian, "the Armenian health
sector is rapidly evolving and its workforce is in need of re-training.
By supporting the efforts of the SHCMA, both organizations,
and, more importantly, the people of Armenia and the region
benefit."
Likewise,
Minister of Health, Dr. Ararat Mkrtchian, indicated his strong
support for this joint effort, promising to "work closely with
the AUA in expanding and improving the SHCMA and the resources
available to carry out its important mission."
Dr.
Mihram Nazaretian, a former Minister, of Health, directs the
SCHMA. The SCHMA provides residency and continuing post-graduate
education for health care managers. The SCHMA has benefited
from its ongoing partnerships with the University of Alabama-Birmingham
and Creighton University in the United States through the USAID-sponsored
projects of the American International health Alliance (AIHA).
Adding the AUA as a local American model institutional sponsor
builds upon and strengthens this foundation.
Under
the terms of the agreement, the SHCMA will be provided office
space at the AUA, providing a permanent home to the SCHMA and
its programs and technical support and oversight from AUA faculty.
In addition, both organizations have pledged to collaboratively
develop projects and seek support for their implementation.
Dr. Nararettan expressed optimism that "the combined efforts
of the SHCMA and its AIHA and AUA partners will enable the SCHMA
to launch reinvigorated that emphasize quality and evidence
based practice." Dr. Nazaretian also plans to bring these training
programs to practitioners in the regions rather than having
them come to Yerevan.
Dr.
Donald Fuller, AUA Vice President and Dean of Faculty, noted
that "the Armenian health care system is facing new challenges
brought on by market economics and other pressures. It is only
by systematically responding to these challenges and retraining,
its highly competent workforce that the Armenian health sector
can make a successful transition. We are honored to be asked
by the Ministry of Health to support these offers and look forward
to a successful collaboration."
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