YEREVAN – The Armenian Association of Neonatal Medicine (AANM) shared the results of the 2016 assessment of neonatal services in Armenia during a national conference today in Yerevan. Neonatal death accounts for over 60 percent of under-five mortality rate in Armenia. The main causes of neonatal mortality are premature birth, inborn diseases, birth asphyxia, sepsis and pneumonia. Armenia’s Ministry of Health review of pediatric hospital services in Armenia has revealed significant weaknesses in the quality of neonatal care, lack of a quality assurance system, and poor adherence to clinical guidelines.
Within the framework of the USAID-funded Improving Quality of Neonatal Care Services in Armenia project, AANM conducted a nationwide assessment in January-March 2016 to reveal key causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality, and identify the gaps in providing quality neonatal services. The study targeted 32 clinics – 21 regional and 11 based in the capital – out of the country’s 65 facilities that provide obstetric, gynecological, and newborn care.
During the conference on April 29, AANM presented key findings of the assessment, including gaps in policy implementation, weak policies on neonatal standards, a need for 24/7 neonatal staff availability, and better provision of critical equipment and medication to all facilities. Addressing the participants of the conference, Alyson McFarland, Director of USAID Armenia’s Office of Democracy, Health and Social Reform, highlighted the strategic collaboration of USAID, the Armenian government and professional medical associations to improve the health and survival of the newborns. “Evidence shows that up to 70 percent of newborn deaths can be prevented if proper medical interventions are implemented where they are needed most,” she said, noting that the findings of the study will be used to improve Armenia’s newborn care development strategy, build the capacity of medical staff and improve the quality of neonatal services.
Dr. Hrant Kalenteryan, the AANM President, Leading Pediatric Resuscitator of MOH of RA, Leading Neonatologist of Yerevan, stressed that according to the result of the AANM analysis the regulation of the neonatal services and consistent implementation of the guidelines may reduce neonatal mortality in Armenia by 30 percent.
The USAID-funded Improving Quality of Neonatal Care Services in Armenia project was launched in 2015 with the support of the Armenian Ministry of Health. The project helps healthcare facilities deliver essential and quality newborn care to Armenian families, advances international newborn care standards, and addresses the leading causes of child mortality in Armenia.
