For Immediate Release
May 12, 2006

ARMENIA FUND USA RESTORES NEUROSURGICAL DIVISION OF ASTVATSATSIN HOSPITAL IN YEREVAN

Building on the successful maintenance of somatic division of the same hospital

NEW YORK, New York – Armenia Fund USA (Fund), East Coast Affiliate of Hayastan Himnadram All-Armenian Fund, is pleased to announce that much needed renovation works to restore the neurosurgical division of the Astvatsatsin Hospital, Yerevan, Armenia, have started in April, 2006. The project is a continuation of the previous restoration works done for the somatic division (a division for children with issues such as malnutrition, lack of normal growth and other developmental physical conditions) of the same hospital. Having started last year, the project was brought to its successful completion through the generous contribution of Mr. Agop Giritliyan – an Armenian philanthropist from Istanbul where he is well-known for his assistance to more than 5,000 promising Armenian students.

Neurological Division of the Hospital, currently being restored by Armenia Fund USA, was in a dilapidated condition

Agop Giritliyan’s generosity has restored not only two of the most critical wings of the hospital, but, most importantly, the hope of the children and staff of Astvatsatsin Hospital for a better quality of healthcare service. The hospital which provides care for children from ages two to eighteen is also considered to be the primary emergency care provider in the region. Built in 1982 and not having undergone any kind of renovation since Soviet times, the hospital represented an example of a construction in deplorable conditions suggesting an image of a place to die rather then heal. With Mr. Giritliyan’s generous support, Armenia Fund USA’s undertaking of the restoration of this critically important healthcare center was a step to meet immediate healthcare needs of many children in Armenia.

The renovation of the somatic division last year was implemented in parallel with a World Bank initiative to moderately renovate the first two floors of the hospital. This year, building on the success and well-maintenance of the infrastructure, Mr. Giritliyan is undertaking the renovation of the neurosurgical division of the children’s hospital. The project is scheduled to be completed by August 25 of 2006. The state-of-the-art renovation of the division is a bold initiative to take the provision of adequate healthcare service to a different level for children who are in desperate need.

The right of every child and adult to proper healthcare, established by multiple international protocols and conventions, still remains an unaccomplished task for thousands of children in Armenia and Karabakh. The Fund’s initiative of renovating the children’s hospital in Yerevan is a working example of how Armenia Fund USA collaborates with its donors who have specific philanthropic goals in mind and choose a direction in their efforts to make a difference. The Fund’s other projects in the area of public health and medical care include the Armine Pagoumian Polyclinic and Diagnostic Center in Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh.

Armenia Fund USA has distinguished itself by implementing projects ranging from grassroots development to specific problem-solving initiatives. With the support of its donors and constituents, the Fund will continue in its mission of improving lives by building foundations that will sustain the economic growth and stability of the country and its people.

ABOUT ARMENIA FUND USA: ARMENIA FUND USA, founded in 1992, was the first of Hayastan All-Armenian Fund’s 18 international affiliates and serves constituents in all states east of the Mississippi. As a non-profit, non-governmental, nonsectarian organization, the Fund represents all Armenian constituents.

Armenia Fund USA is the largest contributor among the 18 international affiliates – supporting strategic infrastructure projects in Armenia and Karabakh, and having helped build 138 miles of roads, 100 miles of waterways, 36 schools, 3 electric transmission networks, 210 residential buildings and 15 healthcare institutions.

Armenia Fund USA’s Mission is the development of strategic socio-economic infrastructure in Armenia and Karabakh, focusing on major projects such as major highways, schools, drinking water to communities and humanitarian programs in education, training and medical facilities. The Fund has adopted a policy to go “Beyond Bricks and Mortar” to provide sustainability for projects it sponsors.

To learn more about Armenia Fund USA, please visit our website at
www.ArmeniaFundUSA.org or call us at 212-689-5307.