VivaCell neonatal care project expands to new regions of Armenia

VivaCell-MTS, a subsidiary of “Mobile TeleSystems” OJSC, announces that today VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian and BirthLink NGO Director Kathy Mellor, as well as a group of neonatologists, visited neonatal departments in Maralik and Artik hospitals.

All maternity hospitals need essential equipment for saving the lives of the newborn, when unexpected complications occur in pregnancy or the woman delivers prematurely.

This essential equipment is necessary for maintaining the baby’s temperature and stabilise or sustain the baby until transfer can be undertaken to a regional centre or to Yerevan. Some babies with potentially life-threatening problems, who receive immediate and appropriate care after delivery, may need no further intervention. This equipment can be the difference between life and death.

“This is our second visit to Shirak region in frames of the Neonatal care project. Last year VivaCell-MTS visited two hospitals in Gyumri to deliver similar equipment, which will help reduce the infant mortality rate. This project is about improving access to medical services in the regions, including geographical access as the project will result in drastic reduction in the rate of transfers to hospitals in Yerevan, which is connected to expenditures. People in the regions should have equal opportunities to receive medical services, especially when it comes to infants,” VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian commented. “Each child’s life is a gift, and as a caring company VivaCell-MTS is committed to helping maternity hospitals in eradicating the biggest challenge that we have today – the infant mortality rate.”

Artik has an increasing number of deliveries with more than 800 babies born in 2010. In frames of the project the hospital received a newborn intensive care incubator with resuscitation equipment incorporated, a phototherapy unit for treating jaundiced babies, a pulse oximeter for monitoring oxygen levels, an infusion pump for delivering intravenous fluids and a heated mattress to keep babies warm. Babies can die from hypothermia, and keeping babies warm is an easy but essential part of care of the newborn.

Maralik is a smaller department and had nearly 300 deliveries in 2010. It is still essential that this facility can provide appropriate care to babies with complications. This department has received a radiant warmer with resuscitator in the delivery room for immediate warmth and resuscitation for babies. They have also received a pulse oximeter for monitoring oxygenation, an infusion pump for delivery of intravenous fluids and a heated mattress for keeping babies warm. This method for maintaining warmth allows the baby to stay close to their mother.

Every year, more than 4 million infants die in the first year of life. 98 percent of the cases are registered in the developing countries. 65 percent of lethal cases are registered within the first month, with two third of them – during the first week, and more than half – within the first 24 hours after the birth. The World Health Organization says the level of infant mortality in Armenia exceeds the level in countries like US and Great Britain for four times.

For the fourth year in a row VivaCell-MTS together with BirthLink NGO makes efforts aimed at reducing the level of infant mortality in our country. Within this period of time, the equipment for a total of about AMD 298 million has been installed in 23 medical centers of Yerevan and the regions. The specialists say the positive results are already obvious.