Primary Care
as a first point of contact
to ensure accessibility and quality of care
to ensure accessibility and quality of care
HENAR prioritizes the development of primary care as a first point of contact, aiming to ensure accessibility and quality of care while promoting wellness and healthy living among communities. By strengthening primary care services, we strive to establish a robust healthcare system that addresses individuals' needs comprehensively and proactively.
our partners
Primary Care Transformation
Plan 2021-2026
As part of a diverse coalition led by Armenia's Ministry of Health, HENAR contributed to the Primary Care Strengthening Taskforce, which included stakeholders from the health sector, academia, NGOs, international experts, and the Diaspora. Guided by the WHO Operational Framework for Primary Health Care, the Taskforce systematically identified gaps, proposed recommendations, and prioritized 58 actions to develop Armenia's primary care transformation plan. With technical support from WHO’s primary care office, the plan was finalized during a workshop with representatives from key stakeholders, including the Parliament of Armenia, and was officially adopted by the Government in July, 2022.
Community Health Workers in Syunik
HENAR is launching a Community Health Worker (CHW) program to bridge gaps in the primary healthcare system. CHWs, representing their communities, will provide trauma-informed care and health education, complementing existing healthcare providers like village nurses. This initiative aims to improve management of non-communicable diseases, help patients navigate complex health systems and ensure they comply with recommended treatment and follow-up visits.
12 workers
to be employed to deliver care in 4 villages of Syunik
3,000 people
to receive continually access to quality care
(PHC centers) involved in piloting new model of care
4 providers
our partners
9,000+ people
receive regular access to quality care
our partners
and comprehensive care for displaced population of Artsakh
Emergency Response
5,000+ patients
served in Syunik and Artsakh
Mobile Primary Care Units in Syunik and Artsakh
The pilot program of Mobile Primary Care Units enhances healthcare access in remote border villages. Initiated by Santé Arménie in Goris, Syunik, post-2020 war, HENAR joined in 2023 to expand and integrate MPCUs into the primary care system. Despite challenges from the blockade and humanitarian crisis in Artsakh, HENAR successfully deployed one unit in Martuni region in May 2023, operating until September to provide vital services to vulnerable populations.
Other Projects
in Primary Care
Some other initiatives in primary care focus on piloting innovative models of care to address key morbidities, enhancing governance and policy frameworks, and fostering community engagement. These projects also emphasize the role of public-private partnerships (PPP) in strengthening healthcare delivery and sustainability.
HENAR is partnering with the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) on the Hypertension Management Project, targeting improved health outcomes in Khndzoresk, Syunik Province. With hypertension affecting 35.8% of Armenia’s adult population but often remaining uncontrolled, the project aims to assess key health indicators such as blood pressure, weight, and behavioral factors like smoking and medication adherence. This data-driven approach will inform strategic interventions to manage hypertension effectively and establish a foundation for broader public health initiatives.
APRI Armenia, an independent, non-partisan think tank founded by the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), collaborates with HENAR to drive impactful health system improvements in Armenia. As part of this partnership, APRI engaged Senior Policy Fellow Kim Hekimian from Columbia University for a residency at APRI Armenia. During her tenure, she has been seconded to the Ministry of Health to lead targeted problem-solving initiatives aimed at strengthening Armenia's healthcare system.
“Kim Hekimian has played a pivotal role in providing essential support in data analysis, enabling evidence-based policy decisions, particularly within the domains of maternal and child health, nutrition strategies, and the enhancement of clinical guidelines. It is through public-private partnerships such as this that a profound difference is made in our ability to serve the health needs of our nation.”
Anahit Avanesyan, Minister of Health
“Kim Hekimian has played a pivotal role in providing essential support in data analysis, enabling evidence-based policy decisions, particularly within the domains of maternal and child health, nutrition strategies, and the enhancement of clinical guidelines. It is through public-private partnerships such as this that a profound difference is made in our ability to serve the health needs of our nation.”
Anahit Avanesyan, Minister of Health
HENAR is dedicated to developing some regional primary care centers into robust teaching sites for family medicine, enhancing their capacity to serve as hubs for education and professional development. Through initiatives like the Family Medicine Fellowship in collaboration with Health for Armenia or Community Health Worker (CHW) programs, we focus on building the competencies of clinical staff to effectively mentor students and residents during rotations. By integrating education into the function of regional primary care centers, HENAR targets to ensure the sustainability of workforce development and strengthens the healthcare system at its core.
