WiRED International-Armenia and the MiASIN NGO are continuing their joint initiatives with a new online training program for Community Health Workers (CHWs). This was announced by the MIASIN NGO.
This program builds on the success of the “Health as a Guarantee of Wellbeing: WiRED” lecture series, which was conducted in 2023-2024 in the cities of Ejmiadzin, Gyumri, Chkalovka (Sevan region), Sisian, and Vanadzor.
The goal of those lectures was to strengthen public health, provide primary health and medical knowledge, and empower the healthcare community. As a result, about 200 interested individuals from target groups were prepared, from which participants for the new training phase were selected.
The program has enrolled 33 participants from 16 communities across the provinces of Yerevan, Armavir, Aragatsotn, Gegharkunik, Shirak, Lori, and Syunik.
The goal of the new retraining phase is to support the initiatives of the World Health Organization (WHO) by providing free training to community health workers. The retraining will be based on special educational materials developed by the WHO, which are specifically tailored to the needs of community health workers.
The mission of the program is not only to impart knowledge and skills to the participants but also to bring about changes in the health sector at the community level for the short and long-term positive effects on the health of community.
Trained participants will, where possible, work in their communities to expand the accessibility of first aid and health education services and support the local health systems.
It is further anticipated that CHWs will help organize and operate periodic health screening clinics (HSCs) in communities throughout Armenia. These clinics focus on early detection and prevention of diseases, allowing for treatment before symptoms appear, which can lead to more effective recovery outcomes.
Participants who successfully complete the training and pass a rigorous online examination will receive a certificate and a license (authorization) as Community Health Workers, valid for one year.
On February 19, 2025, an online meeting was held with the 33 participants of the program. Attendees included Mr. Sebouh Baghdoyan, representative of WiRED International in Armenia; Dr. Ara Nahabedian, medical advisor of the program; Mr. Gevorg Chichyan, founder-president of MiASIN NGO; and co-founders Ms. Sosik Avagyan and Ms. Lusine Petrosyan.
Mr. Baghdoyan and Dr. Nahabedian welcomed the participants and emphasized the importance of the program, expressing hope that this training would lead to positive changes for both participants and community health in Armenia. They highlighted that through the modules, participants would acquire valuable skills to become active community health workers.
Mr. Chichyan, Ms. Avagyan, and Ms. Petrosyan also greeted the participants and thanked Mr. Baghdoyan for trusting MiASIN NGO with this important initiative, emphasizing that through their collective efforts, they aim to achieve positive results.
The participants expressed their gratitude for being selected for the program, noting that such initiatives are especially crucial in their communities.