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International Journal of Emergency Medicine
Published in: International Journal of Emergency Medicine 1/2021

Open Access 01-12-2021 | Stroke | State of International Emergency medicine

Healthcare in transition in the Republic of Armenia: the evolution of emergency medical systems and directions forward

Authors: Sharon Chekijian, Nune Truzyan, Taguhi Stepanyan, Alexander Bazarchyan

Published in: International Journal of Emergency Medicine | Issue 1/2021

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Abstract

Armenia, an ex-Soviet Republic in transition since independence in 1991, has made remarkable strides in development. The crisis of prioritization that has plagued many post-Soviet republics in transition has meant differential growth in varied sectors in Armenia. Emergency systems is one of the sectors which is neglected in the current drive to modernize. The legacy of the Soviet Semashko system has left a void in specialized care including emergency care. This manuscript is a descriptive overview of the current state of emergency care in Armenia using in-depth key informant interviews and review of published and unpublished internal United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Ministry of Health (MOH) documents as well as data from the Yerevan Municipal Ambulance Service and international agencies. The Republic of Artsakh is briefly discussed.
The development of emergency care systems is an extremely efficient way to provide care across many different conditions in many age groups. Conditions such as traumatic injuries, heart attacks, cardiac arrest, stroke, and respiratory failure are very time-dependent. Armenia has a decent emergency infrastructure in place and has the benefit of an educated and skilled physician workforce. The missing piece of the puzzle appears to be investment in graduate and post-graduate education in emergency care and development of hospital-based emergency care for stabilization of stroke, myocardial infarction, trauma, and sepsis as well as other acute conditions.
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Metadata
Title
Healthcare in transition in the Republic of Armenia: the evolution of emergency medical systems and directions forward
Authors
Sharon Chekijian
Nune Truzyan
Taguhi Stepanyan
Alexander Bazarchyan
Publication date
01-12-2021
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
International Journal of Emergency Medicine / Issue 1/2021
Print ISSN: 1865-1372
Electronic ISSN: 1865-1380
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-020-00328-3

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