Friday, September 30 2016 14:14

ArmInfo. The Ambassador  Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation in  Armenia H.E. Ivan Volynkin and UNICEF Representative in Armenia Tanja  Radocaj signed an agreement today whereby the Russian Federation and  UNICEF join hands to strengthen neonatal care services in Armenia.    

"The project will ensure strong partnership with specialized  healthcare facilities in Russia for technical assistance and  experience sharing," said Mr. Volynkin during the signing ceremony,  "We believe that every child should have the best start in life and,  on behalf of the government of the Russian Federation, we are please  to support Armenia in tackling this important issue. Under the  project, 10 neonatal intensive care units will be opened throughout  Armenia and this number will be increased to 30 in the future." The  ambassador said that under the project, Armenian specialists will get  an opportunity to undergo retraining courses at the Kulakov Federal  Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Perinatology. 

Besides, the best Russian specialists will arrive in Armenia to share  their experience in neonatal care services. The Russian diplomat said  more than 400 specialists from 30 medical establishments will be  involved in this process and booklets will be issued and centers will  open at 10 medical establishments to raise awareness of parents about  neonatal care.  Mr. Volynkin said the given agreements meet the  spirit of the Armenian-Russian allied relations expressing hope for  further implementation of similar projects. 

"This is the first project in addressing children's health issues to  be implemented by UNICEF in Armenia with the support of Government of  Russia, and we do hope this collaboration with be productive and  sustainable, for the health and well-being of children of Armenia,"  noted Mrs. Radocaj. "Together we will work to empower Armenia's  families and communities to provide better care to pregnant women and  newborns at home and access healthcare institutions early when  needed."

In her words, 10 medical establishments in Armenia will be provided  with provided with up-to-date equipment for quality neonatal care  services in accordance with international standards.  In this the  first such health care project implemented by UNICEF with the  financial assistance of Government of Russia, as the Russian  Federation provides big grants to UN among others for the  implementation of projects in Armenia, Mrs. Radocaj said.  

The project will be implemented from 2017-2019 in collaboration with  the Ministry of Health of Armenia with the objective to reduce infant  and neonatal mortality and morbidity in the country.  

Representatives of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Foreign  Affairs of Armenia were present at the event.