AMIC's INFO-FLASH
2340 Chemin Lucerne, # 30
Ville Mont-Royal, Quebec
H3R 2J8, Canada
Tel : (514) 739 8950
Fax : (514) 738 2622
Web: www.amic.ca
Email: [email protected]
The AMIC Newsletter, April, 2004
1. Article 1 : AMIC's General Assembly
2. Article 2 : "Reproductive Health Trends In Eastern
Europe And Eurasia"
3. Article 3 : A message from Lebanon
4. Article 4 : News from our associations
5. Article 5 : What is AMIC?
1- AMIC's General Assembly
AMIC's annual General Assembly will be held this year in Toronto from May 27
to May 29. It will mainly focus on the preparations of the 9th World Medical
Congress that will take place in San Francisco from June 29 to July 3, 2005,
and the AMIC Journal. The publisher of the Journal having changed his
previous business model for a new one, the members have to discuss the
matter and come up eventually with a final decision.
2- "Reproductive Health Trends In Eastern Europe And
Eurasia"
(AMIC office has received this report dated September 2003, from the
"Population Reference Bureau" located in Washington, DC. Info-Flash is
presenting to its readers the data and facts concerning Armenia, and (for
some of them) the neighboring Caucasus countries).
"In the past decade, countries in Eastern Europe and Eurasia have undergone
economic and social transformations that have affected virtually every
aspect of life, including health. By some measures, women's reproductive
health has improved, as women in the region today are more likely to use
modern contraception and less likely to have an abortion to prevent an
unplanned birth. But rates of maternal and infant death are still
unacceptably high, the use of preventive health services is low, and there
is little awareness about other issues, such as how to prevent HIV/AIDS.
This brief provides highlights of surveys taken in 11 countries since 1996,
covering a wide range of women's health topics and providing in-depth
information on attitudes and behaviors related to reproductive health.
The report highlights survey results in 11 countries: four in Eastern Europe
(Moldova, Romania, Russia, and Ukraine), three in the Caucasus (Armenia,
Azerbaijan, and Georgia), and four in Central Asia (Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz
Republic, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan).
The Context for Reproductive Health
The countries profiled here share a common history, having either been part
of the former Soviet Union or within its sphere of influence. These
countries had modeled their health care after Russia's centralized,
government-supported system, which provided universal health care to all
citizens. The system promoted hospital-based care, creating a surplus of
hospitals and specialists and a shortage of primary health care services.
Prior to and during the transition from centrally controlled to market-based
economies, the hospital-based system became too costly for governments to
maintain; consequently, most hospitals lack modern equipment, drugs, and
supplies. Health care systems deteriorated rapidly in the 1990s,
contributing to lower use of preventive health services, including
reproductive health care.
Governments in all 11 countries are struggling with limited resources and
emerging health problems. All of the governments continue to support health
care, but many are turning parts of the system over to national insurance
agencies or the private sector and may be leaving some population subgroups
either uninsured or with minimum benefits.
Selected Demographic and Social Indicators (I)
Caucasus Pop. Rate of Nat. Increase
Mid-2002 (%) a
Armenia 3.8 0.2
Azerbaijan 8.2 0.8
Georgia 4.4 0.0
Projected Total fertility
Pop. change Rate 1998-99 c
2002-2050 b
(%)
Armenia -17 1.7
Azerbaijan 59 2.0
Georgia -44 1.7
a Rate of natural increase is the birth rate minus the death rate,
implying the annual rate of population growth without regard to migration.
b Projected population growth (or decline) is based on current assumptions
about the likely path of fertility.
c The average number of children that a woman would have during her
reproductive lifetime, given present age-specific fertility rates. Fertility
rates reflect the governments' estimates for 1998-99 with the exception of
Armenia and Georgia. These have been revised upward based on DHS and RHS
survey findings, respectively.
During the 1990s, countries in the region experienced dramatic declines in
fertility. By 2000, fertility rates in most countries were below replacement
level, or 2.1 children per woman on average, the number needed to replace
parents. If fertility remains below this level, a country's population will
eventually decline (assuming there is no offsetting immigration).
Selected Demographic and Social Indicators (II)
Caucasus Life Expectancy Per capita
In Years Income
Male Female (GNI PPP) a
(2000)
Armenia 70 74 2 580
Azerbaijan 69 75 2 740
Georgia 69 77 2 680
Health Expenditures Percent of Women
per Capita b Enrolled in
1990-98 Secondary School
1993-97 c
Armenia 27 79
Azerbaijan 36 81
Georgia 46 76
a GNI PPP refers to gross national income converted to "international
dollars" using a conversion factor for purchasing power parity.
International dollars indicate the amount of goods and services one could
buy in the United States with a given amount of money.
b The sum of public and private expenditures on health divided by the
country's population. Expressed in US dollars.
c The ratio of the number of students enrolled in secondary school to the
population in the applicable age group. It can exceed 100 when the number of
students exceeds the population of that age group.
Women throughout the region usually marry and begin having children earlier
than women in Western Europe; childbearing peaks between ages 20 and 24 and
drops off sharply after that. Little childbearing occurs after age 30 in
these countries; women typically spend the rest of their reproductive years
trying to avoid pregnancies. With population size stalled or shrinking, some
policy-makers consider family planning programs unnecessary and
counterproductive and instead advocate for measures to encourage women to
have more children.
Abortion Rates and Trends
In most countries, abortions are most common among women ages 20 to 34.
In seven of 11 countries surveyed, abortion levels declined during the
1990s. Trends in abortion were measured by looking at the abortion rate 6 to
8 years and 0 to 2 years before the survey. Abortion rates fell between 15
percent and 38 percent - a marked change in a relatively short period. Most
of the decline occurred among women under age 30 and was associated with
increased use of modern contraceptives.
Trends in Abortion Rates in Armenia and Azerbaijan
Armenia 6-8 years before survey 0-2 years bef. survey
(2000) 3.1 2.5
Azerbaijan 2.3 2.9
(2001)
Links Between Contraception and Abortion
In all of the surveyed countries, there is a clear relationship between abor
tion and use of traditional contraceptive methods: the greater the ratio of
traditional methods to all methods used, the higher the level of abortion
tends to be. A simulation using data from Armenia, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz
Republic, and Uzbekistan showed that if women using traditional methods and
those using no method but seeking to avoid a pregnancy were to use modern
contraception, abortion rates would decline by between 55 percent and 64
percent, more than halving the number of abortions in those countries.
Infant Health: New Data on Mortality
As the health of mothers and their infants is linked and they depend on
similar health services, infant mortality rates are also considerably higher
in the region than in Western Europe.
Infant Mortality Rates in Selected Countries
Death to infants under age 1 per 1000 live births
Armenia 36
Georgia 42
Azerbaijan 74
As in other parts of the world, the surveys revealed that children born to
less-educated mothers or born less than two years after a sibling's birth
were more likely to die as infants..
This report is based on "Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health in Eastern
Europe and Eurasia: A Comparative Report" by the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention and ORC Macro. The full 238 page report can be obtained by
contacting CDC: Division of Reproductive Health, Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, Mail Stop K-23, 4770 Buford Highway, NE, Atlanta, GA 30341,
U.S.A.
Tel: 1 770 488 6200. Fax: 1 770 488 6242. E-mail: [email protected]
3- A message from Lebanon
Dr. Paul Delyferian, the president of the "Armenian Medical Association of
Lebanon" received a message from the Alumni of the St-Joseph Faculty of
Medicine of Beirut, requesting any information regarding the whereabouts of
some 50 Armenian physicians who are thought to be either in Europe (France)
or in the US and Canada. Below are the names of the ones who have not been
located yet, and we ask any of our readers who might know them, to give any
information they have either to the AMIC office ([email protected], tel 1 (514)
739 8950) or to Dr. Paul Delyferian ([email protected]) .
Antablian Sarkis, Arslanian Bernadette, Berberian Georges, Berberian John,
Bourdoukian Georges, Djanian Henry, Emirkhanian Hofsep, Essayan Alain,
Garabedian Garabed, Garevorian Haroutioun, Guzelian Joseph, Hagopian Taline,
Hekimian Nivart, Ichkhanian Arsene, Kahvedjian Agop, Kazandjian Seta Rita,
Kazopoulo-Soublian Micheline, Moumdjian Gaspard, Nadjarian Nazareth,
Oughourlian Jean Michel, Ouzounian Sona, Potoukian Tosbath Matik, Roumoulian
Caroline, Sabondjian Agop, Saboundjian Haroutioun, Simonian Josephine,
Sultanian Seta Siran, Tchavdarian Jeanette, Topdjian Noubar, Tutundjian
Berge.
4- News from our associations
- Lebanon
In March, Dr. S. Avakian , the president of the "Armenian Bone Marrow Donor
Registry" was in Lebanon to launch a campaign for recruiting new names (and
blood samples) of donors for the Registry. The Armenian Medical Association
of Lebanon and the Armenian Embassy (in Lebanon) organized the event. The
blood testing went on until April.
- A collaboration to cover the dental needs of the Karabagh population.
A collaborative action has been going on between the Armenian Medical
Associations of Ontario (ACMAO) and Quebec (AMAQ), the Armenian Dental
Association of Lebanon (ADAL), the Armenian International Dental Association
(AIDA) and others (see below) to organize, fund, create and manage dental
clinics all over the major towns and villages of Karabagh. The campaign
spearheaded by Dr. Zareh Ouzounian (an endodontist from Toronto, and a
member of AMIC's Executive,) started a few years ago when he worked hard
with ACMAO to open the first dental clinic in Shoushi. An apartment given by
the municipality was renovated, transformed into a clinic, equipped with the
needed dental tools and medicines and ready to offer free services to the
population of the surrounding area. The salary of the dentist and an
assistant paid for by the sponsoring association.
The experience being a success, Dr. Ouzounian began receiving requests to
offer the same kind of services to other villages and towns. He was able to
mobilize the above-mentioned associations, as well as others, and a
wonderful collective effort was put in place, to build clinics in Hadrut
(ACMAO and AMAQ), opened in July 7, 2003, in Lachin (sponsored by the Boston
Armenian Dental Association, with the help of ADAL and UMAF-Lyon).
The other planned clinics will be located in Martuni, Martakert. A mobile
clinic is also in the plans.
The collaboration of other dental associations, or individual dentists is
encouraged, so that more clinics, this time in Armenia, are opened. The
logistic support will be provided.
Fund raising events will take place in June in both Toronto and Montreal
with two concerts by the LUYS group, an "a cappela" formation of 5 singers,
brought especially from Armenia for the event.
AMIC is not only proud of the whole program, but sees in this collective
action a model to be followed by other member associations, and a perfect
example of what AMIC stands for.
5 - What is AMIC?
The Armenian Medical International Committee was created fourteen years ago.
It is an umbrella organization that unites Armenian medical associations
throughout the Diaspora, creating thus a large network through which
information and data are exchanged.
AMIC organizes Armenian Medical World Congresses. So far eight have been
held in different cities of the Diaspora. In 2003, "The First International
Medical Congress of Armenia", organized by Armenia, was held in Yerevan from
July 1 to July 3.
The 9th AMIC Congress will be held in 2005 (from June 29 to July 3), in
San Francisco (USA). You can have the latest news by visiting the website
http://9amwc.org
AMIC publishes since 1998 an online newsletter and sends it freely to all
Armenian Health Care professionals. If you are a health care professional
and are interested in receiving Info-Flash, please send us your e-mail
address ([email protected]) . To all those who already receive the Info, please
do not forget to send us your new e-mail address when you change it.
For further information visit our website: www.amic.ca
A useful information to remember: you can send freely from wherever you are
located, medical equipment/medicine through the services of the United
Armenian Fund; President Mr. Harout Sassounian ([email protected])
2340 Chemin Lucerne, # 30
Ville Mont-Royal, Quebec
H3R 2J8, Canada
Tel : (514) 739 8950
Fax : (514) 738 2622
Web: www.amic.ca
Email: [email protected]
The AMIC Newsletter, April, 2004
1. Article 1 : AMIC's General Assembly
2. Article 2 : "Reproductive Health Trends In Eastern
Europe And Eurasia"
3. Article 3 : A message from Lebanon
4. Article 4 : News from our associations
5. Article 5 : What is AMIC?
1- AMIC's General Assembly
AMIC's annual General Assembly will be held this year in Toronto from May 27
to May 29. It will mainly focus on the preparations of the 9th World Medical
Congress that will take place in San Francisco from June 29 to July 3, 2005,
and the AMIC Journal. The publisher of the Journal having changed his
previous business model for a new one, the members have to discuss the
matter and come up eventually with a final decision.
2- "Reproductive Health Trends In Eastern Europe And
Eurasia"
(AMIC office has received this report dated September 2003, from the
"Population Reference Bureau" located in Washington, DC. Info-Flash is
presenting to its readers the data and facts concerning Armenia, and (for
some of them) the neighboring Caucasus countries).
"In the past decade, countries in Eastern Europe and Eurasia have undergone
economic and social transformations that have affected virtually every
aspect of life, including health. By some measures, women's reproductive
health has improved, as women in the region today are more likely to use
modern contraception and less likely to have an abortion to prevent an
unplanned birth. But rates of maternal and infant death are still
unacceptably high, the use of preventive health services is low, and there
is little awareness about other issues, such as how to prevent HIV/AIDS.
This brief provides highlights of surveys taken in 11 countries since 1996,
covering a wide range of women's health topics and providing in-depth
information on attitudes and behaviors related to reproductive health.
The report highlights survey results in 11 countries: four in Eastern Europe
(Moldova, Romania, Russia, and Ukraine), three in the Caucasus (Armenia,
Azerbaijan, and Georgia), and four in Central Asia (Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz
Republic, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan).
The Context for Reproductive Health
The countries profiled here share a common history, having either been part
of the former Soviet Union or within its sphere of influence. These
countries had modeled their health care after Russia's centralized,
government-supported system, which provided universal health care to all
citizens. The system promoted hospital-based care, creating a surplus of
hospitals and specialists and a shortage of primary health care services.
Prior to and during the transition from centrally controlled to market-based
economies, the hospital-based system became too costly for governments to
maintain; consequently, most hospitals lack modern equipment, drugs, and
supplies. Health care systems deteriorated rapidly in the 1990s,
contributing to lower use of preventive health services, including
reproductive health care.
Governments in all 11 countries are struggling with limited resources and
emerging health problems. All of the governments continue to support health
care, but many are turning parts of the system over to national insurance
agencies or the private sector and may be leaving some population subgroups
either uninsured or with minimum benefits.
Selected Demographic and Social Indicators (I)
Caucasus Pop. Rate of Nat. Increase
Mid-2002 (%) a
Armenia 3.8 0.2
Azerbaijan 8.2 0.8
Georgia 4.4 0.0
Projected Total fertility
Pop. change Rate 1998-99 c
2002-2050 b
(%)
Armenia -17 1.7
Azerbaijan 59 2.0
Georgia -44 1.7
a Rate of natural increase is the birth rate minus the death rate,
implying the annual rate of population growth without regard to migration.
b Projected population growth (or decline) is based on current assumptions
about the likely path of fertility.
c The average number of children that a woman would have during her
reproductive lifetime, given present age-specific fertility rates. Fertility
rates reflect the governments' estimates for 1998-99 with the exception of
Armenia and Georgia. These have been revised upward based on DHS and RHS
survey findings, respectively.
During the 1990s, countries in the region experienced dramatic declines in
fertility. By 2000, fertility rates in most countries were below replacement
level, or 2.1 children per woman on average, the number needed to replace
parents. If fertility remains below this level, a country's population will
eventually decline (assuming there is no offsetting immigration).
Selected Demographic and Social Indicators (II)
Caucasus Life Expectancy Per capita
In Years Income
Male Female (GNI PPP) a
(2000)
Armenia 70 74 2 580
Azerbaijan 69 75 2 740
Georgia 69 77 2 680
Health Expenditures Percent of Women
per Capita b Enrolled in
1990-98 Secondary School
1993-97 c
Armenia 27 79
Azerbaijan 36 81
Georgia 46 76
a GNI PPP refers to gross national income converted to "international
dollars" using a conversion factor for purchasing power parity.
International dollars indicate the amount of goods and services one could
buy in the United States with a given amount of money.
b The sum of public and private expenditures on health divided by the
country's population. Expressed in US dollars.
c The ratio of the number of students enrolled in secondary school to the
population in the applicable age group. It can exceed 100 when the number of
students exceeds the population of that age group.
Women throughout the region usually marry and begin having children earlier
than women in Western Europe; childbearing peaks between ages 20 and 24 and
drops off sharply after that. Little childbearing occurs after age 30 in
these countries; women typically spend the rest of their reproductive years
trying to avoid pregnancies. With population size stalled or shrinking, some
policy-makers consider family planning programs unnecessary and
counterproductive and instead advocate for measures to encourage women to
have more children.
Abortion Rates and Trends
In most countries, abortions are most common among women ages 20 to 34.
In seven of 11 countries surveyed, abortion levels declined during the
1990s. Trends in abortion were measured by looking at the abortion rate 6 to
8 years and 0 to 2 years before the survey. Abortion rates fell between 15
percent and 38 percent - a marked change in a relatively short period. Most
of the decline occurred among women under age 30 and was associated with
increased use of modern contraceptives.
Trends in Abortion Rates in Armenia and Azerbaijan
Armenia 6-8 years before survey 0-2 years bef. survey
(2000) 3.1 2.5
Azerbaijan 2.3 2.9
(2001)
Links Between Contraception and Abortion
In all of the surveyed countries, there is a clear relationship between abor
tion and use of traditional contraceptive methods: the greater the ratio of
traditional methods to all methods used, the higher the level of abortion
tends to be. A simulation using data from Armenia, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz
Republic, and Uzbekistan showed that if women using traditional methods and
those using no method but seeking to avoid a pregnancy were to use modern
contraception, abortion rates would decline by between 55 percent and 64
percent, more than halving the number of abortions in those countries.
Infant Health: New Data on Mortality
As the health of mothers and their infants is linked and they depend on
similar health services, infant mortality rates are also considerably higher
in the region than in Western Europe.
Infant Mortality Rates in Selected Countries
Death to infants under age 1 per 1000 live births
Armenia 36
Georgia 42
Azerbaijan 74
As in other parts of the world, the surveys revealed that children born to
less-educated mothers or born less than two years after a sibling's birth
were more likely to die as infants..
This report is based on "Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health in Eastern
Europe and Eurasia: A Comparative Report" by the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention and ORC Macro. The full 238 page report can be obtained by
contacting CDC: Division of Reproductive Health, Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, Mail Stop K-23, 4770 Buford Highway, NE, Atlanta, GA 30341,
U.S.A.
Tel: 1 770 488 6200. Fax: 1 770 488 6242. E-mail: [email protected]
3- A message from Lebanon
Dr. Paul Delyferian, the president of the "Armenian Medical Association of
Lebanon" received a message from the Alumni of the St-Joseph Faculty of
Medicine of Beirut, requesting any information regarding the whereabouts of
some 50 Armenian physicians who are thought to be either in Europe (France)
or in the US and Canada. Below are the names of the ones who have not been
located yet, and we ask any of our readers who might know them, to give any
information they have either to the AMIC office ([email protected], tel 1 (514)
739 8950) or to Dr. Paul Delyferian ([email protected]) .
Antablian Sarkis, Arslanian Bernadette, Berberian Georges, Berberian John,
Bourdoukian Georges, Djanian Henry, Emirkhanian Hofsep, Essayan Alain,
Garabedian Garabed, Garevorian Haroutioun, Guzelian Joseph, Hagopian Taline,
Hekimian Nivart, Ichkhanian Arsene, Kahvedjian Agop, Kazandjian Seta Rita,
Kazopoulo-Soublian Micheline, Moumdjian Gaspard, Nadjarian Nazareth,
Oughourlian Jean Michel, Ouzounian Sona, Potoukian Tosbath Matik, Roumoulian
Caroline, Sabondjian Agop, Saboundjian Haroutioun, Simonian Josephine,
Sultanian Seta Siran, Tchavdarian Jeanette, Topdjian Noubar, Tutundjian
Berge.
4- News from our associations
- Lebanon
In March, Dr. S. Avakian , the president of the "Armenian Bone Marrow Donor
Registry" was in Lebanon to launch a campaign for recruiting new names (and
blood samples) of donors for the Registry. The Armenian Medical Association
of Lebanon and the Armenian Embassy (in Lebanon) organized the event. The
blood testing went on until April.
- A collaboration to cover the dental needs of the Karabagh population.
A collaborative action has been going on between the Armenian Medical
Associations of Ontario (ACMAO) and Quebec (AMAQ), the Armenian Dental
Association of Lebanon (ADAL), the Armenian International Dental Association
(AIDA) and others (see below) to organize, fund, create and manage dental
clinics all over the major towns and villages of Karabagh. The campaign
spearheaded by Dr. Zareh Ouzounian (an endodontist from Toronto, and a
member of AMIC's Executive,) started a few years ago when he worked hard
with ACMAO to open the first dental clinic in Shoushi. An apartment given by
the municipality was renovated, transformed into a clinic, equipped with the
needed dental tools and medicines and ready to offer free services to the
population of the surrounding area. The salary of the dentist and an
assistant paid for by the sponsoring association.
The experience being a success, Dr. Ouzounian began receiving requests to
offer the same kind of services to other villages and towns. He was able to
mobilize the above-mentioned associations, as well as others, and a
wonderful collective effort was put in place, to build clinics in Hadrut
(ACMAO and AMAQ), opened in July 7, 2003, in Lachin (sponsored by the Boston
Armenian Dental Association, with the help of ADAL and UMAF-Lyon).
The other planned clinics will be located in Martuni, Martakert. A mobile
clinic is also in the plans.
The collaboration of other dental associations, or individual dentists is
encouraged, so that more clinics, this time in Armenia, are opened. The
logistic support will be provided.
Fund raising events will take place in June in both Toronto and Montreal
with two concerts by the LUYS group, an "a cappela" formation of 5 singers,
brought especially from Armenia for the event.
AMIC is not only proud of the whole program, but sees in this collective
action a model to be followed by other member associations, and a perfect
example of what AMIC stands for.
5 - What is AMIC?
The Armenian Medical International Committee was created fourteen years ago.
It is an umbrella organization that unites Armenian medical associations
throughout the Diaspora, creating thus a large network through which
information and data are exchanged.
AMIC organizes Armenian Medical World Congresses. So far eight have been
held in different cities of the Diaspora. In 2003, "The First International
Medical Congress of Armenia", organized by Armenia, was held in Yerevan from
July 1 to July 3.
The 9th AMIC Congress will be held in 2005 (from June 29 to July 3), in
San Francisco (USA). You can have the latest news by visiting the website
http://9amwc.org
AMIC publishes since 1998 an online newsletter and sends it freely to all
Armenian Health Care professionals. If you are a health care professional
and are interested in receiving Info-Flash, please send us your e-mail
address ([email protected]) . To all those who already receive the Info, please
do not forget to send us your new e-mail address when you change it.
For further information visit our website: www.amic.ca
A useful information to remember: you can send freely from wherever you are
located, medical equipment/medicine through the services of the United
Armenian Fund; President Mr. Harout Sassounian ([email protected])