On January 19, U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Heffern, USAID Armenia Mission Director Jatinder Cheema, and Minister of Health Harutyun Kushkyan signed a two-year grant agreement to improve access to emergency medical care (EMS) services in Armenia. Representatives of the Armenian government and the U.S. Mission also attended the ceremony. This two-year grant is part of the Health and Social Reform Assistance Agreement that USAID signed with the Armenian government in August 2010. The goals of the “Improved Emergency Medical Care Services” project are to: Enhance public awareness of EMS reforms through the local media, non-governmental organizations, and professional associations; Improve the Ministry of Health’s capacity to monitor EMS services and to evaluate the overall impact of the EMS reform on Armenian public health; Provide technical expertise to the Ministry of Health (MOH) to finalize the country strategy for further development of Armenia’s Emergency Care Services based on international standards; Support continuous professional development of the MOH staff to sustain EMS reforms.

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