Brazil Armenians co-sponsor Nork-Marash hospital reconstruction

Published: Monday March 15, 2010

Reconstruction of Yerevan's Nork-Marash Hospital is currently under way. Courtesy photo

New York - The Brazilian affiliate of Armenia Fund continues to support major renovations at Yerevan's Nork-Marash Infectious Diseases Hospital. The latest project benefiting the facility, the sixth such initiative sponsored by the Brazilian affiliate, will result in the reconstruction of the hospital's Pediatric and Adolescent Infections departments.

Currently under way, the project was announced by Armenia Fund, Brazil Chairman Ochin Leon Mosditchian in October 2009, during his working visit to Yerevan with a Brazilian-Armenian delegation.

"This is not the first time when a benefactor finances several additional projects following the realization of an initial undertaking," said Ara Vardanyan, Executive Director of the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund, commenting on the Brazilian-Armenian community's consistent support of Nork-Marash Hospital.

"Commitment of this level ensures that issues faced by a given beneficiary are solved in a comprehensive manner," Vardanyan added. "The continued support of sponsors such as the Armenian-Brazilian community is a testament to the effectiveness of the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund as well as the confidence it inspires among donors."

Since 2005, the Fund has implemented a string of extensive projects at Nork-Marash Hospital. They include the reconstruction of the Intensive Care Unit, Intestinal Infections Department, and Infectious Diseases Department, the installation of a new roof on one of the hospital's two main wings, the installation of a heating system, and the construction of a boiler room.

"Without a doubt, these major renovations and upgrades have significantly improved the general quality of our medical services as well as our patients' sense of well-being," said Dr. Ara Asoyan, chief physician at Nork-Marash Hospital. "Today our vastly enhanced facility enables us to provide top-notch care and makes us far better prepared to deal with epidemics."

According to Dr. Asoyan, close to 7,200 patients (including 2,350 outpatients) have received care at the hospital's renovated departments in 2009 alone.

ABOUT ARMENIA FUND USA: founded in 1992, was one of the first of Hayastan All-Armenian Fund's 17 international affiliates and serves constituents in all states east of the Mississippi. As a non-profit, non-governmental, nonsectarian organization, the Fund represents all Armenian constituents. Armenia Fund USA is the largest contributor among the 17 international affiliates - supporting strategic infrastructure projects in Armenia and Karabakh. The Fund has adopted a policy to go "Beyond Bricks and Mortar" to provide sustainability for projects it sponsors.