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Today VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian and Director of BirthLink Kathy Mellor visited the maternity department in the central hospital in Etchmiadzin. This hospital has received equipment for immediate reanimation and warming of sick and small babies, respiratory monitoring, management of jaundice and the provision of intravenous fluids, the press service of VivaCell-MTS reported.

The equipment will help support sick and low birth weight babies after delivery, with provision to stabilize babies before transfer to Yerevan or regional centers. By improving facilities, transfer of some babies can be avoided.

“The most frustrating feeling for anyone is the feeling of despair and helplessness, especially when it comes to the safety and health of children. In difficult moments, when the life of a child is hung by a thread, it is important to know that there is a place where babies with health problems will be taken up by professional medical staff in a hospital equipped with all the necessary devices for fighting for the life of the newborn. We want young parents to feel that they are not left alone when facing difficulties,” commented VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian.

The project implemented by VivaCell-MTS concentrates on the first days of life, to ensure each maternity facility has doctors and nurses with the right knowledge and equipment to improve survival of the vulnerable newborn babies. In addition to the equipment being provided, education, training and support for the medical staff continues.

This is now the seventh year of co-operation between BirthLink and VivaCell-MTS, to improve the care of sick and premature babies in Armenia, and thereby reduce neonatal mortality. The project commenced in 2008, and till now has supported twelve neonatal departments in Yerevan and twenty-three departments in seven regions of Armenia with about AMD 535 million of support from VivaCell-MTS.

The ‘Every Newborn’ action plan, led by WHO and UNICEF, believe that nearly 3 million babies and women can be saved each year through investing in quality care around the time of birth and special care for sick and small newborns.

More than 80% of all newborn deaths result from preventable and treatable conditions – in particular complications due to prematurity and infections. Improving quality of care around the time of birth will save most lives, but needs healthcare professionals with good knowledge and well equipped facilities to make the difference.