American Surgeons Take Part in Hospital Opening in Artsakh

The facade of the new Central Republican Hospital building in Stepanakert

STEPANAKERT—For decades, the Central Republican Hospital in Stepanakert remained the cornerstone of medical and surgical care in Nagorno-Karabakh. The advanced medical care provided by the staff at the hospital remained high, despite limitations in modern technology available for diagnostic and therapeutic treatment.

Board certified surgeons Dr. Hratch Karamanoukian and Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian visited the Central Republican Hospital in September prior to the commencement ceremony of the new hospital on September 24, 2013.  The surgeons provided new equipment and instruments to the Department of Plastic & Reconstructive surgery headed by Dr. Igor Zakharyan.  The instruments will allow Drs. Karamanoukian and Dr. Zakharyan to spearhead a new microsurgical program for complex facial and body reconstruction.  “The level of expertise at the hospital is amazing,” commented Dr. Hratch Karamanoukian, “but there are limitations in the availability of complex surgical instrumentation and diagnostic modalities.”

One of the key discussions made by the surgeons was the feasibility of accessing the medical expertise in Nagorno Karabakh for medical tourism.  “The surgeons and anesthesiologists are well trained and capable,” reported Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian, a plastic surgeon in Los Angeles. The two doctors were provided a tour of the new facilities and discussed the implementation of advanced surgical protocols for the new hospital. Instrumental in the exchange was Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Karen Ghukasyan, an expert in the field of surgical urology.

The surgeons are both Fellows of the American College of Surgeons and have made several trips to Nagorno Karabakh. “The advancement of medical technology and surgical expertise in Nagorno Karabakh remains a priority for us as Armenian physicians,” says Dr. Hratch Karamanoukian.