The European Union and WHO today donated X-ray equipment to the Martuni Medical Center for use in their radiology room. The donation is part of a larger assistance package, provided by the EU to help boost COVID-19 response in the country.
Andrea Wiktorin, the Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Armenia, Anahit Avanesyan, the Acting Minister of Health, Jennifer Collins, WHO Country Officer in Charge and Shombi Sharp, the UN Resident Coordinator were at Martuni Medical Center to hand over the X-ray equipment.
“Beyond immediate support to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic, the European Union stands by Armenia, providing vaccines and helping to strengthen the country’s health sector. The EU Solidarity for Health Initiative is aimed to help Armenia in realising the vision for a resilient health system in partnership with WHO. Affordability and access to health services are crucial for the healthy lifestyle and well-being of the Armenian citizens, and we are working to achieve it together,” said the Ambassador of the European Union to Armenia, Andrea Wiktorin.
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“I think, it is a very important donation, which will have its impact on improving the health of the population. As you can see, our efforts, which we have made in collaboration with our partners for many years, are continuous and will be aimed at increasing the quality of medical services at regional medical centers,” mentioned Anahit Avanesyan, the Acting Minister of Health.
“The EU and WHO Regional Office for Europe have stood side by side with Armenia from the beginning of the pandemic, providing both immediate support to health workers and frontline responders, as well as longer-term support to strengthen the health system’s resilience to future health emergencies. Even once the pandemic is over, the provided equipment will continue to benefit the citizens of Armenia.” added Jennifer Collins, the WHO Country Officer in Charge.
Achievements under the project include the delivery of 200 oxygen concentrators and 22 ventilators, which were distributed to frontline hospitals in Yerevan and across the regions to help hundreds of patients recover from severe illness, caused by COVID-19. Two X-ray equipment have been procured and are being installed in other hospitals, supporting COVID-19 patients in the country. Four additional X-ray units will be provided by the end of 2021 for major COVID-19 hospitals.
Background information:
The ՛Solidarity for Health Initiative՛ is a joint effort of the European Union and WHO Regional Office for Europe in six countries of Eastern Europe and the Caucasus – Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova, and Ukraine. The project aims to help tackle the COVID-19 pandemic and strengthen the EU’s Eastern Neighborhood’s capacity to respond to public health emergencies. The project is implemented by the WHO Regional Office for Europe and WHO country offices, in close coordination with EU Delegations, national authorities and development partners, including those in the United Nations system.
