Sharing a ride with COAF’s Health Programs Manager and family doctor Lusine Antonyan, it’s not hard to see that she can’t sit still—even on the road. Before arriving at her next scheduled village for the day, she somehow coordinates with the medical staff of beneficiary health centers over the phone.
“In 2007, I moved from Gyumri to Yerevan and didn’t want to settle for just working at a polyclinic. I was young, full of energy,” Lusine recalls. Continuing her story, she says that she didn’t rush to apply for the vacant doctor position at COAF until her friend insisted.
“My friend called and said she had found the perfect job for me. In my case, that meant working as a family doctor, with freedom and a wide scope of opportunities.” -Lusine Antonyan
During her early years with COAF, Lusine worked in six villages assisting local specialists with patient examinations and consultations at local health centers in Armavir. Now, as part of COAF’s “Supportive Supervision” program, she helps rural healthcare workers expand their professional expertise and training on-site.
“Today, we are carrying out preparatory work to pass the program on to the community,” explains Dr. Antonyan, referring to the pediatric training program at the Desgh Health Clinic. At the clinic, COAF’s healthcare team supports local specialists in managing diabetes and hypertension within the community of Dsegh.
Lusine is actively involved in enhancing pediatric care across rural Armenia, overseeing and providing training in the “Care for Children Aged 0-5” program in the regions of Armavir and Lori.
“In the ‘Care for Children Aged 0-5’ program, we help local healthcare professionals properly implement care and mandatory annual check-ups for the youngest children. We also often teach parenting skills to new mothers. COAF is the best opportunity and platform that has allowed me to pass on my skills and knowledge as a family physician to my rural colleagues over the years. This is not just a job for me—it is a source of energy and inspiration.”
– Dr. Antonyan
Lusine enjoys building rapport with her young patients through games.
The “real” medical examination follows the game.
The most popular game between doctors and children is “breathe, don’t breathe.”
Lusine prepares a patient for a consultation with specialists who have come to Armenia on a medical mission.
Doctors who work with children know very well that the key to a successful medical examination is the young patient’s good mood.
The patient is in safe hands.
Lusine presents COAF’s informational pamphlet for pregnant women to the community doctor.
Only after all stages of the medical examination do Lusine and the local doctor develop the patient’s treatment plan together.
As part of the nationwide healthy lifestyle promotion campaign, Lusine informs visitors to COAF’s booth about the dangers of high blood pressure and the importance of its management.
