Project NOVA

Availability and Affordability of Contraceptive Commodities in Pharmacies and Primary Healthcare Facilities in Armenia: Descriptive Study Report

Anonymous — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 19:02:47 +0000

Availability and Affordability of Contraceptive Commodities in Pharmacies and Primary Healthcare Facilities in Armenia: Descriptive Study Report 2008 Anonymous (not verified) October 06, 2016

Download

Projects Project NOVA

By Inna Sacci, Zaruhi Mkrtchyan, Nune Dolyan, Amy Armistad

Voices from the Field: Armenia Training Providers, Generating Change

Anonymous — Wed, 14 Sep 2016 13:13:41 +0000

Voices from the Field: Armenia Training Providers, Generating Change Anonymous (not verified) September 14, 2016

April 10, 2008

“I’m so happy and grateful to my doctors for having my baby in my arms after all the stress I went through,” says Lusine, a patient whose baby’s life was saved by physicians trained by IntraHealth through Project NOVA, a USAID-funded initiative to improve reproductive and child health care in rural Armenia.

Lusine was looking forward to giving birth to a baby girl in April, but in February she woke up in the middle of the night bleeding. Scared for her life and for the life of her unborn child, she rushed to Vayk Medical Union, which serves the southern region of Armenia’s Vayots Dzor province. In the past, doctors at Vayk preferred to refer patients such as Lusine “because they were uncertain what to do.” Now, thanks to NOVA’s trainings in emergency obstetric and newborn care, they were well prepared to manage Lusine’s hemorrhage.

Using Lusine’s recent ultrasound exam, Dr. Gayane Petrosyan, an OB/GYN, knew there was no threat of placenta previa—a dangerous condition often leading to bleeding during pregnancy. Further examination determined that cervical dilatation was almost complete. Dr. Gayane Petrosyan delivered the baby, but the newborn was not breathing. Dr. Nune Petrosyan, a neonatologist, immediately diagnosed respiratory distress syndrome and promptly cleaned the baby’s airway, dried and warmed the newborn, and began treatment for respiratory distress. Due to accurate, timely and organized care, the newborn’s condition was stabilized in a few days, and the baby could start breastfeeding.

On-site training for the staff at the health facility covered antenatal care, postpartum care, emergency obstetric care and newborn and infant care. Participants’ clinical skills and knowledge increased by 30%, resulting in changes in service delivery: “After . . . NOVA’s newborn care training, we started providing counseling to postpartum women. We explain to them the newborn danger signs [to watch for] and the steps [to take] for breastfeeding,” notes Dr. Nune Petrosyan.

“Now I use some new approaches,” adds Dr. Gayane Petrosyan, “. . . such as active management of third stage of labor and use of a partograph.”

An unanticipated outcome of NOVA’s trainings has been the new level of enthusiasm they generated among management and staff. As one manager reports: “. . . the project inspires them and makes their routine work more interesting.”

Overnight, the delivery department head—Dr. Metaxya Hovhannisyan—mobilized her staff in reorganizing the delivery and women’s consultation departments to make them compliant with the infection prevention measures introduced during the training. The result? Vayk Medical Union has had no cases of fever or diseases among postpartum women for the past six months.

Project NOVA also established a quality assurance team of Vayk staff who worked on strengthening existing maternal and child health care services using self-assessment instruments. Following the very first self-assessment, the team created a suggestion box for patient feedback and posted the warning signs of complications during pregnancy, as well as clinic hours. In addition, they resolved an issue they had faced with medical waste disposal. They have raised the quality of their services by applying new approaches in service delivery and by using new equipment received from Project NOVA. Thus far, team members are proud of their accomplishments and satisfied as “the patients feel the difference and appreciate it,” as one staff member remarks.

Project NOVA is managed by Emerging Markets Group in collaboration with IntraHealth International and Save the Children. Major partners are the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia, regional authorities, medical training institutes and several local non-governmental organizations.

Since October 2004, Project NOVA has set up 18 clinical training sites throughout Armenia. More than 1,600 obstetricians/gynecologists, nurses/midwives and other health professionals have participated in trainings and about 20,000 community members have attended reproductive health and maternal and child health (RH/MCH) events. The number of people using RH/MCH services subsequently doubled.

Armenia Project NOVA Education & Performance Management and Performance Measurement and Evaluation Quality of Care

Voices from the Field: Schools Prepare Pregnant Women For Birth And Newborn Care

Anonymous — Wed, 14 Sep 2016 13:13:41 +0000

Voices from the Field: Schools Prepare Pregnant Women For Birth And Newborn Care Anonymous (not verified) September 14, 2016

June 10, 2008

“I am really much inspired and I have come to the class with pleasure. Sometimes the information we get outside from our neighbors, friends and families is controversial, and here, I am sure, I’ll acquire the most valuable information, which will help me to overcome my fear,” says Lilit Handunts, mother-to-be and participant in one of Armenia’s newly launched Schools of Motherhood.

The Schools of Motherhood serve as an educational platform crucial for a positive pregnancy outcome and effective newborn and infant care practices. USAID’s Project NOVA, in which IntraHealth International is a partner, supported the establishment of four of these schools—at Vedi Maternity House, Sisian Medical Center, Talin Medical Center and Vayk Medical Union—in provinces in Southern Armenia. The project, led by Emerging Markets Group, celebrated the schools’ launch on April 7 and 8 to commemorate the Day of Beauty and Motherhood in Armenia. Now the schools have welcomed pregnant women into the first class offerings.

Armenia’s Ministry of Health mandated the establishment of Schools of Motherhood in December 2005 and stipulated national regulations regarding the organization and provision of antenatal and postnatal services. In spite of the Ministry’s plans to institutionalize the schools across Armenia, visits to the regions revealed that they barely functioned outside the capital city. This led to, Project NOVA’s mandate to strengthen the Schools of Motherhood initiative.

In class, women receive physical and psychological preparedness and support for childbirth, information on the delivery process and its stages and on the importance of a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy and the postpartum period. The themes are split up into five classes offered by practicing obstetricians/gynecologists on a regular basis. Pregnant women acquire practical knowledge and skills on such topics as overcoming delivery-related fears and practicing exclusive breastfeeding. In addition, future fathers are highly encouraged to participate in the classes so they can better understand pregnancy- and delivery-related issues and be supportive of their partners.

“Here we can talk to other pregnant women, share our experience, discuss our problems and relax. Although this is my second pregnancy, I believe I’ll increase my practical knowledge on the process of pregnancy and delivery,” notes Greta Mkrtchyan, another mother-to-be.

IntraHealth trained personnel at the sites, providing a refresher training to ten obstetricians/gynecologists and midwives. The training—which covered the Government of Armenia’s standards for Schools of Motherhood lessons and how to set them up and the content of five mandatory lessons—gave the health care providers an opportunity to update their knowledge in conducting birth preparedness classes.

IntraHealth also purchased furniture, carpets and exercise balls for the schools and renovated a room in the Vedi Maternity House to serve as a school.

In order to enhance the visual appearance of the Schools of Motherhood and make them more attractive for mothers-to-be, Project NOVA organized a children’s artwork competition called “Happy Family in My Imagination.” About 80 children participated from the four regions of Armenia where the schools have been established. The best paintings are now posted on the walls of the newly established schools.

“I really love these pictures on the walls,” exclaims Gayane Ikhtiaryan, a school participant. “They are great and fill me with positive energy. I think we can relax here and have a friendly talk with our providers.”

Establishing the Schools of Motherhood supports Project NOVA’s goal of improving maternal and child health care services in rural Armenia.

Project NOVA is funded by the United States Agency for International Development and is managed by Emerging Markets Group in collaboration with IntraHealth International and Save the Children. Major partners are the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia, regional authorities, medical training institutes and several local non-governmental organizations.

Armenia Project NOVA Primary Health Care Maternal, Newborn, & Child Health Maternal and Newborn Health

Voices from the Field: Helping Anahit Into The World

Anonymous — Wed, 14 Sep 2016 13:13:38 +0000

Voices from the Field: Helping Anahit Into The World Anonymous (not verified) September 14, 2016

June 13, 2009

“I didn’t lose my head for a second,” remarked Alina Hovhannisyan, after assisting a pregnant woman whose labor started suddenly—with no time to get to the hospital. “I knew all the steps I should take due to Project NOVA’s training on intrapartum care, so I was confident about my actions.”

It had been an uneventful spring day. Alina, a community nurse in Haykavan—a rural community in Shirak Marz—was about to go to bed when she got the call and rushed to Mariam Harutyunyan’s home. Mariam was in the late stage of pregnancy, but thought she had two more weeks to go. Some pregnant women from Haykavan spend the last month of their pregnancy in Gyumri, 12 km away, so they can reach the maternity hospital easily in time for delivery. The terrible condition of roads makes the traveling difficult and seems like a nightmare for women in labor. But Mariam, like most women—especially those with children—had stayed in Haykavan with her family waiting for the signs of labor.

That night in April, Alina realized that Mariam’s labor was progressing rapidly and she would unlikely manage to reach the hospital for delivery. Since home births are not permitted in Armenia, she followed the protocol and immediately called for an ambulance from the Gyumri maternity hospital. Help was on its way; however, Mariam’s labor was faster than the ambulance. Alina did not hesitate and started to provide obstetric care.
This was only Alina’s second experience with childbirth. However, she felt sure of what to do and how it should be done because Project NOVA’s nurses’ training on safe motherhood clinical skills had prepared her and given her new knowledge and skills in maternal and child care.

She gathered all the necessary supplies and medications from the health post and assisted Mariam in giving birth to a beautiful baby girl, Anahit. Alina did everything according to NOVA’s training: gave an oxytocin injection to prevent postpartum hemorrhage, checked the placenta, and assessed the mother and the newborn. Finally, she sighed with relief, satisfied with her work. When the ambulance arrived, the doctor examined the mother and baby and had nothing else to do but to praise Alina for a job well done.

Little Anahit is now a cheerful and pretty child surrounded with love. She receives the necessary health care in her community. Mariam’s family greatly appreciates both Alina’s professional and personal characteristics. “Knowledgeable and skillful, she is committed to her work and is ready to provide health care for any situation,” notes Mariam’s mother-in-law.

In addition to benefiting from Project NOVA’s safe motherhood clinical skills training, the Haykavan community saw its health post renovated, equipped and furnished three years ago through NOVA’s Community Partnership for Health initiative. It is now maintained by the supervisory health facility and the village mayor’s office. The community nurses are happy to work in such conditions equipped with necessary supplies and the best equipment—their knowledge and life-saving skills.

Over the life of Project NOVA, IntraHealth has trained 287 rural community nurses in safe motherhood clinical skills, leading to a five-fold increase in use of services NOVA-trained nurses provide primary health care services in 40% of rural health posts in Armenia.

Project NOVA (Innovations in Support of Reproductive Health) is a five-year USAID-funded initiative designed to improve quality of and access to reproductive and child health care in rural areas. The project is managed by Emerging Markets Group in collaboration with IntraHealth International and Save the Children. Major partners are the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia, marz authorities, medical training institutes and several international and local non-governmental organizations.

Armenia Project NOVA Community Health Leadership and Governance Policy & Advocacy Advocacy

A Decade of Experience in Armenia: Improving Health and Health Care

Anonymous — Wed, 14 Sep 2016 13:13:34 +0000

A Decade of Experience in Armenia: Improving Health and Health Care Anonymous (not verified) September 14, 2016

February 02, 2011

The picture in 2001: A highly literate country with strong educational institutions, Armenia had the infrastructure in place to serve its three million citizens. Yet the health system was inefficient and not meeting the needs of the population. Armenia had too many specialist doctors, but not enough general practitioners. They had strong hospitals in the cities, but poorly maintained clinics in rural areas. Many Armenians were reluctant to use locally-available, but frequently poor-quality, health facilities.

Recognizing these weaknesses in the health system, the Armenian government prioritized health sector reforms, especially those that affected women and children, and improved primary health care. Beginning in 2001, IntraHealth International was invited by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to partner with the government of Armenia to improve primary care delivery in the country, beginning activities in one marz or district. Subsequently, IntraHealth expanded its collaboration with the government and other organizations to improve health care delivery throughout the country.

For the past decade, IntraHealth International has been collaborating with Armenian government and other local and international partners to increase access, quality and use of primary health services through the following:

• Reinforcing the quality of family medicine and nursing practice
• Improving the health of Armenian women and children, by:

- Introducing and scaling up the Schools of Safe Motherhood
- Strengthening the quality of education and training programs in reproductive health
- Increasing the role of health workers in addressing violence against women

• Creating lasting partnerships between health facilities and the communities they serve.

“The key to our success in Armenia has been establishment of partnerships at the national, regional, service delivery, and community levels. Together we have been able to develop sustainable solutions and bring tangible results touching the lives of many Armenians and leave behind the legacy of our support.”—Inna Sacci, Armenia Chief of Party, 2006-2011

“The biggest highlight in my four years in Armenia was seeing real change happen—seeing health workers get new information and run with it, seeing new policies leading to changes in the health system. You could literally watch the transformation.”—Rebecca Kohler, IntraHealth Armenia Country Director, 2002-2006

IntraHealth has worked in close collaboration with the Armenia Ministry of Health, marz (county) health departments, marz advisory groups, and community partnerships as well as with support from USAID, the Burns Supper Group, and Open Society Institute. More information on the individual Armenia-based projects is available here: PRIME II, The Primary Health Care Reform Project [1], Project NOVA [2], and NOVA2 [3]

[1] Led by Emerging Markets Group, Ltd.

[2] Led by Emerging Markets Group, Ltd.

[3] Led by RTI

» Next: Reinforcing the Quality of Family Medicine and Nursing Practice

Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | all on one page

Armenia Project NOVA

Project NOVA Honored With A Burns Supper Donation

Anonymous — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 12:26:18 +0000

Project NOVA Honored With A Burns Supper Donation Anonymous (not verified) September 13, 2016 July 15, 2008

Project NOVA recently received a donation from the Burns Supper (the third donation provided to the project), a charity event in Armenia hosted by the British Embassy in honor of Scottish poet Robert Burns. This donation purchased equipment for maternal and child health care in several of the health facilities Project NOVA supports in Armenia. The equipment included an ultrasound examination device, an incubator, a neonatal breeze lung ventilator, neonatal reanimation equipment, a patient monitor and a syringe pump.

This new equipment enables health care providers at these facilities to better assess, diagnose and monitor the health of mothers and their children. For example, a two-year-old patient in Talin was recently diagnosed and hospitalized with obstructive laryngotracheitis. The health care providers at Talin Medical Center immediately started the appropriate treatment for the child and monitored his condition using the new equipment. The Intensive Care Team from one of Yerevan hospitals confirmed the diagnosis of the Talin personnel and highly praised the technical capacity of the local doctors.

Project NOVA is a five-year USAID-funded program to improve health care in Armenia. IntraHealth provides training and support to this project, which is led by Emerging Markets Group. Project NOVA has received more than $55,000 from the Burns Supper over the past three years.

Photo: Igor Dashevsky

Armenia Project NOVA

Armenia Project Celebrates Advancing Maternal and Child Health

Anonymous — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 12:26:18 +0000

Armenia Project Celebrates Advancing Maternal and Child Health Anonymous (not verified) September 13, 2016 February 08, 2010

The USAID-funded Project NOVA presented its achievements at a ceremony entitled “Five Years Together: Advancing Maternal and Child Health in Armenia” on November 12, 2009. Representatives of USAID Armenia, the Armenian Ministry of Health, Marz health departments, international and local organizations, health care providers from various health facilities, and leaders of several rural communities joined Project NOVA leaders and staff to celebrate the project’s successes.

From the project’s 2004 inception, IntraHealth supported Project NOVA in establishing 18 regional training sites and 29 quality assurance teams, training over 2,500 health care providers in state-of-the-art aspects of maternal and child health care, and establishing 12 popular Schools of Motherhood. IntraHealth also supported the project as it contributed to the development and implementation of several national health initiatives and strategies; designed, produced and disseminated over 200,000 copies of health education materials; and supported the establishment of the first evidence-based Armenian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Neonatology.

Project NOVA Chief of Party Inna Sacci thanked the guests for their contributions to the project’s work. Deputy Minister of Health Tatul Hakobyan and USAID Armenia Mission Deputy Director John Seong recognized the achievements of Project NOVA in their speeches.

Project NOVA was implemented by a consortium of international organizations. Led by Emerging Markets Group, the project was supported by IntraHealth and Save the Children in close partnership with the Republic of Armenia Ministry of Health, marz health departments, leading medical training institutions and health care facilities.

Armenia Project NOVA