In response to Armenia’s urgent medical needs during the COVID-19 pandemic, FAR has completed its first round of distributions of personal protective equipment to the country’s healthcare workers who are at the frontlines of the response.
Nor Nork Infectious Disease Clinic, St. Grigor Lusavorich Medical Center, and the Traumatology and Orthopedics Scientific Center received 150 full PPE packages last week through FAR’s Healthcare Program. All three of these institutions are currently dealing exclusively with the nation’s COVID-19 patients.
Deputy Director of Traumatology and Orthopedics Scientific Center Karen Poghosyan said that, due to shortage of supplies, staff have had to wear the same suits for at least two days in a row since March, when the center was transformed into an adjunct hospital to deal with patient overflow.
“This is tremendous support for us and the quality of the suits are much better than what we have,” he said. “We have specific areas in the center, like the frontlines, and when physicians leave those areas their suits are must undergo ozone sterilization to kill any strains of coronavirus. However, their suits can be easily torn during this process, depending on the quality. So good quality really means a lot.”
This week, in coordination with Armenia’s Ministry of Health, FAR is delivering more necessary supplies to the three hospitals and clinics, which will help 500 healthcare workers.