TUBERCULOSIS: Armenia: Meline Tufenkciyan’s Fight Against Tuberculosis

 Jul 1 2011


NEW YORK—Of historic and archeological significance, Gyumri is an epicenter of both culture and cataclysmic natural disaster. To this day, Armenia’s second largest city is readily and infamously associated with the 1988 earthquake that left an estimated 80 percent of the city’s structures in shambles. As the process of rebuilding continues in Gyumri, the city remains home to the Gyumri TB Hospital, one of several hospitals throughout the country dedicated to caring for those afflicted with deadly, often drug-resistant strands of a disease that remains a scourge to Armenian healthcare.
Tufenkciyan designated a small portion of her most recent donation to improve the sterility of the hospital, leading to the procurement of new, quality linens.
World Health Organization estimates put the total number of tuberculosis cases at 107 per 100,000 people in Armenia in 2009, compared to 4.5 per 100,000 in the United States the same year. Furthermore, the incidence of tuberculosis—meaning the number of new cases—also holds steady, with 73 per 100,000 Armenians in 2009 becoming infected, compared to 4 per 100,000 Americans.
Unfortunately, such statistics are hardly shocking, as Armenia’s sordid relationship with the disease has come to the forefront of several humanitarian efforts over the recent decade. Meline Tufenkciyan is one such humanitarian, her steadfast contributions over the past four years constituting a vital effort. Upon reading how few Armenians were able to receive treatment for tuberculosis in 2007, Tufenkciyan decided that more needed to be done, and that she was in a position to effect such change.
After approaching Armenia Fund USA to learn more about how to best support those suffering from the disease, Tufenkciyan made an initial gift of $15,000 in 2007 to be put towards procuring medicine and nutritious meals for the Gyumri TB Hospital. The limited government budget did not allow for a wide range of much-needed nutritious offerings, such as lean proteins and fresh fruits and vegetables, to make it to the hospital’s menu, thereby preventing patients from gleaning sustenance from vitamin-rich, immune-boosting foods necessary for their recovery.
As per the request of Hospital Director Karine Tonoyan, funds were used to purchase new bed and side tables to further improve sanitary conditions of the hospital.
The following year, Tufenkciyan further increased her generosity, donating $20,000 in both 2008 and 2009, followed by a gift of $25,000 in 2010. As word spread regarding the “Meds and Meals” program, other donors followed suit, with an additional $3,000 as of the end of 2010 contributed to the hospital. As per the request of Gyumri TB Hospital Director Karine Tonoyan, this $3,000 was used to purchase new bed and side tables to further improve sanitary conditions of the hospital.
Tonoyan not only continually expresses her gratitude for Tufenkciyan’s special relationship with the hospital, but is also to thank for the efficacy and organization of the program. With clockwork, detailed reports as to the ways in which funds are being allocated within the hospital’s walls, Tonoyan keeps in constant and close communication regarding how to best serve both the needs of the hospital staff and the patient population. As a result, Tufenkciyan designated a small portion of her most recent donation to improve the sterility of the hospital, leading to the procurement of new, quality linens.
While tuberculosis maintains its grip on the Armenian populace, institutions like the Gyumri TB Hospital show that multitudes are working diligently to fight back. And donors such as Meline Tufenkciyan are right alongside of them.
For more information, visit http://www.armeniafundusa.org/.

http://www.armenianweekly.com/2011/07/01/meline-tufenkciyan%E2%80%99s-fights-against-tuberculosis-in-armenia/