JUNE 6, NOYAN TAPAN. The opening ceremony of a pilot Family
Medicine Department in Erebuni Medical Center (EMC) Polyclinic announced the
launch of the new system of primary health care service delivery to the population.
The Department was opened with the support of the ROA Ministry of Health, Yerevan
Municipality and USAID/Armenia Social Transition Program.
Introduction of Family Medicine is a program of the Government of Armenia. The
Pilot Program of the new system of primary health care service delivery to the
population that is being implemented in Erebuni Medical Center Polyclinic is
a pilot site for the implementation of the Republic of Armenia Primary Health
Care Strategy's goals and objectives. The experience gained from this pilot
will guide the nationwide rollout of the Family Medicine model of care. The
Family Medicine Department consists of Family Medicine groups composed of family
medicine doctors in teams with traditional providers - therapists, obstetrician/gynecologists,
and/or nurses.
The population now has an opportunity to choose their primary care physician
based on a new mechanism for open population enrollment. Physicians of EMC Polyclinic
have received training in clinical medicine, management of health care delivery,
computer literacy and quality improvement concepts. The US Agency for International
Development has provided new medical equipment and other supplies to EMC Polyclinic
for the Family Medicine Department. Three computers have been installed in the
new Family Medicine department of EMC Polyclinic to create an information system
that includes an analytical database on enrolled population. Computerization
has also allowed introduction of an automated financial accounting system for
tracking Family Medicine Department revenues and expenses, and a cost accounting
system.
A modern library of medical materials has been created for the medical staff.
The service population will be provided with health education materials. The
patients have access to newly developed educational materials about common health
conditions. The Ministry of Health of Armenia, Yerevan Municipality and the
USAID funded Armenia Social Transition Program provided assistance to EMC Polyclinic
to implement the Family Medicine Pilot Program. A Trilateral Agreement of Cooperation
was signed between the Yerevan Municipality, Erebuni Medical Center and USAID/Armenia
Social Transition Program. Mr. Grigor Mirzoyan, Deputy Mayor of Yerevan, Dr.
Haroutiun Kushkian, General Director of EMC and Dr. Tatyana Makarova, Armenia
Social Transition Program (ASTP) Health Team Leader signed the Agreement of
Cooperation.
The Deputy Minister of Health Dr. Tatul Hakobian, Acting Director of USAID Mission
in Armenia Ms. Carol Payne-Flavell, Deputy Mayor of Yerevan Mr. Grigor Mirzoyan,
representatives of different International Organizations, high officials, leaders
of local NGOs and health professionals participated in the opening ceremony.
USAID-funded Armenia Social Transition Program (ASTP) is supporting the ROA
Ministry of Health in reforming the nation's primary health care system and
in implementing other national health policy reforms. ASTP is also assisting
the ROA Ministry of Social Security in implementation of social reforms and
in the introduction of modern information technologies in the social and health
sectors.