One who will get an operation and another who probably won't, but should
On a cold day earlier this year, I travelled to the remote village of Karmir Gyugh (literally: ‘Red village’) in the mountainous region of Gegharkunik in northern Armenia, with many of the villages situated at 2,000 meters above sea level. The village has 6,000 inhabitants, and a large proportion of children that have been hidden in their homes and had never been given the correct diagnosis or follow up care needed to change their lives.
With me on this trip was Sona Orbelyan, herself a medical doctor and project co-ordinator on Mission East's 'Healthy Start' project. I also had the privilege of having two of my sons, Philip (12 years) and Peter Vincent (8 years) join me on this trip.
Following home visits by Mission East staff and a paediatrician of Mission East partner Arabkir Medical Center for basic screening , the children are selected for further check up by a team of specialist paediatricians from our partner, after which they are usually referred to either short term medical treatment (operation or otherwise), or long term rehabilitation and follow up.
Two of the children we saw that day represented two ends of the spectre of hope - one who will get an operation, and another who probably won't, but should.
What we saw that day made a lasting impression on our lives!
Kim Hartzner, M.D., Managing Director
Read MoreWith me on this trip was Sona Orbelyan, herself a medical doctor and project co-ordinator on Mission East's 'Healthy Start' project. I also had the privilege of having two of my sons, Philip (12 years) and Peter Vincent (8 years) join me on this trip.
Following home visits by Mission East staff and a paediatrician of Mission East partner Arabkir Medical Center for basic screening , the children are selected for further check up by a team of specialist paediatricians from our partner, after which they are usually referred to either short term medical treatment (operation or otherwise), or long term rehabilitation and follow up.
Two of the children we saw that day represented two ends of the spectre of hope - one who will get an operation, and another who probably won't, but should.
What we saw that day made a lasting impression on our lives!
Kim Hartzner, M.D., Managing Director
10-year old Mariam has been diagnosed with a cleft palate, and has been screened by Arabkir pediatricians and is now referred for an operation. 8-year old Peter Vincent from Denmark wrote down her story:
