Maralik, Ani Region
Ani region is located on the far western Armenian /Turkish border and
has a population of about 22,000 inhabitants. The main town of Maralik
(about 7.500 inhabitants) had a regional hospital almost unfit for use
(despite the presence of 7 doctors and 15 nurses) and a health service
distributed across 15 clinics, the majority of which were dysfunctional
and barely capable of providing adequate assistance to patients. The transportation
system is even more inefficient. Sick patients needing emergency health
care faced extreme difficulty in reach the referral hospitals. This has
had a big impact on mortality, particularly maternal mortality.
The Ministry of Health indicated that among rural and suburban areas the
region of Ani showed the worst average health statistics. Maternal mortality
was 10 times above the national average; Underweight new born: 5 percentage
points above the average and mortality rates of children under 5 years
old were double compared to the national average.
The region was one of those affected both by earthquake and drought and
had faced a lack of humanitarian assistance.
Family Care sought to address the inadequate maternal and newborn care,
starting up a programme of assistance in December 2001.
By July 2002 Family Care had completed the total renovation of the maternity
and outpatient department in Maralik hospital and was in the midst of
training activities to update skills and knowledge. By September, attendance
for deliveries had risen as women who were in fringe areas chose to go
to Maralik rather than other maternity facilities. Family Care continues
with the upgrading, equipping and training in small peripheral clinics
that must meet the daily primary health needs of thousands of people.
