A group of six scholars in the field of public health, including dean and academicians from two universities of Turkey, Acıbadem University and Koç University, visited Armenia between November 22nd and 25th, 2018, as part of the Turkey-Armenia Dialogue Programme series, organised by the Hrant Dink Foundation in partnership with Gyumri Youth Initiative Centre with the support of the UK Government’s Conflict, Stability and Security Fund.
The visit aimed at bringing together the representatives of higher education institutions and public health specialists from both countries to explore possibilities of collaboration. The group from Turkey included academicians who work in the fields of public health, medical education, primary healthcare, health policy, public mental health and a public health nurse from Acıbadem University and Koç University.
During the programme, the participating academicians had a range of meetings with representatives of civil society, healthcare institutions, medical organisations and academicians from medical school focusing on public health and health education in Yerevan.
Throughout the programme, the academicians participated in two roundtable discussions. In the first one, the specialists had the opportunity to discuss the primary healthcare and health literacy issues with leading civil society organisations in Armenia who are implementing multiple projects connected with healthcare, primarily addressing the problems of access to healthcare for disadvantaged and vulnerable groups. During the second roundtable discussion, the representatives from civil society sector, as well as doctors and healthcare practitioners had the chance to discuss the possible areas of cooperation in the field of healthcare that can involve participants from both countries.
The visiting academicians were hosted at Yerevan State Medical University (YSMU) by three Vice-rectors, one Vice-dean of the university and the Dean of Public Health. Academicians from both countries have exchanged information about their respective programmes in medical education and research fields, as well as possibilities of academic cooperation between the universities. In addition, the group was introduced to YSMU’s academic facilities and the dentistry department.
The group had the possibility to visit Armenian-American Wellness Center and learned about the services and the facilities provided by the center. In addition, the group had a meeting with the Director and other heads of the departments of National Institute of Health of Republic of Armenia, a state institution adjacent to the Ministry of Health. Moreover, two international organisations were visited in Yerevan, the United Nations Population Fund and the International Organization for Migration.
Sağlık Uzmanları Diyalog Grubu_Yerevan_2018
During the programme, the academicians had a meeting with representatives from Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) Yerevan office and learned about their projects for improving primary healthcare in rural areas and social-psychological support to the local communities. On the third day of the programme, the group visited Gyumri and Gyumri based Emili Aregak day care center for disabled children, “Youth House” open youth center of YIC and Arevamanuk psycho-social support center.
As part of the programme, the group also explored the major architectural and cultural sites of Yerevan, including the visit to open-air market Vernissage and TUMO Center for Creative Technologies.
Turkey-Armenia Dialogue Programme series are implemented by the Hrant Dink Foundation
in partnership with Gyumri Youth Initiative Centre
with the support of UK Government’s Conflict, Security and Stability Fund.
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