In 1999, Meghrigian Institute conducted a situational
analysis based on statistics from the Ministry of Health of
Armenia and a survey
of regional ophthalmic services to identify the major
ophthalmologic problems in the country, and to prioritize
eye disease prevention effort in Armenia. In 2000-2002, based
on the qualitative results of these projects, several other
projects were developed and implemented by the Meghrigian Institute work
team. The key projects were:
Summer
Camps Project /2000-2001, supported by the United
Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). The project covered
11 summer camps with about 6,000 school age children.
All children were screened, and provided glasses or
referred for further treatment as needed. The prevalence
of eye pathologies was estimated from this data.
Armavir
Health Fair Project - 2002, supported by the USAID
funded American International Health Alliance (AIHA)/University
of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) partnership. The project
implemented a mass screening of vulnerable population
groups, providing appropriate eye care, identifying
barriers to eye care utilization, and assessing the
impact of eye problems on quality of life.
Boarding
School Visual Impairment Project - 2002, supported
by UNICEF/Armenia and the Jinishian Memorial Fund. The
project assessed visual impairments and other major
health problems including nutrition deficiency, physical
development problems, and mental and neurological pathologies
among approximately 600 children living in or attending
four institutions in Armenia.
World Vision Gyumri Area Development Project
-2002 , supported by World Vision/Armenia.
The project provided eye care to approximately 2,000 children
in Gyumri (North Armenia).
Strengthening Regional Ophthalmic Services in
Gegharkunik Marz of Armenia Project / 2003-2006,
supported by Lions Club International Foundation (LCIF).
Recently the Ararat Lions Club, in partnership with GMEIPO
and the Ministry of Health of Armenia, was awarded a LCIF
SightFirst grant for improving eye care in Gegharkunik. Under
the 3-year project, a regional ophthalmic unit (ROU) is planned
for Sevan to provide eye care on the district level. The project
will develop a model of organization, financing, and delivery
of regional ophthalmic services for Armenia that could be
replicated as a national model for quality and affordable
medical services
SHCMA
