DCM Godfrey Dedicates New Mobile Medical Diagnostic Clinic for Refugees

February 4, 2005

Friday, February 4, the Deputy Chief of Mission from the U.S. Embassy officially dedicated a new mobile medical diagnostic clinic for refugees. The mobile clinic, with equipment provided by the United States Embassy, and staffed by doctors and specialists from the "Mission Armenia" NGO, can travel to communities throughout Armenia and assist those that do not have access to a hospital. The mobile clinic features a blood chemical analyzer, a urine analysis machine, and an ultrasound system. With this equipment, many refugees with the greatest need can receive diagnostic services, helping avert preventable illness. The mobile clinic will effectively target assistance to approximately 18,000 refugees and those in need across Armenia's ten marzes, with a focus on the bedridden and elderly.

The $19,000 of medical equipment purchased for the mobile clinic was funded through the U.S. Ambassador's Refugee Fund, a special budget allocated for humanitarian relief projects aimed at helping the Armenian refugee community.

The need for diagnostic services is acute among refugees, since they do not have access to such services. Mission Armenia currently provides healthcare services to refugees in 254 temporary shelters through qualified staff members but lacks diagnostic equipment. The mobile diagnostic clinic will help address this urgent need.