TRAINING ON FIGHT AND PREVENTION MEASSURES AGAINST COVID-19 FOR THE REPRESENTATIVES OF BENEFICIARY GROUPS
On July 20-22, 2022, capacity building training for the representatives of the beneficiary groups of HIV prevention programs (MSM, CSW and trans) was held in Tsakhkadzor, organized by the New Generation Humanitarian NGO. The aim of the training was to raise awareness among the representatives of the beneficiary group about the provision of TB-related services, the fight against COVID-19, the importance and specifics of the outreach work during the pandemic, HIV prevention programs among vulnerable groups.
On the first day of the training, July 20, Sergey Gabrielyan, President of New Generation Humanitarian NGO and a trainer-expert, launched the training, speaking about the HIV prevention activities carried out among vulnerable groups in Armenia, the continuity of services provided in the conditions of the epidemic, the obstacles and challenges.
On the second day of the training, July 21, Anahit Badalyan, Assistant Professor of Epidemiology at the National Center for Infectious Diseases of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia, launched the training, presenting the coronavirus and its epidemiology, impacts, anti-pandemic measures and efficiency, the role of the outreach work in raising awareness of epidemics, vulnerability of the risk of groups to COVID and peculiarities of counselling, relations of COVID-19 and HIV, compatibility of ARV drugs with vaccinations as well as COVID-19 vaccine types and their features.
The topic of the last day of the training, July 22, was TB, which was presented by Naira Khachatryan, Deputy Director for Tuberculosis Control Programs of the National Center of Pulmonology, who spoke about tuberculosis (TB). She particularly referred to the epidemiological situation of TB in Armenia, presented in detail the TB pathogen, methods of transmission, symptoms, treatment schemes, connection with other diseases, she highlighted the importance to educate the patient in the fight against TB. The expert also pointed out the connection of COVID-19 and TB, the challenges in the sphere and the uninterrupted provision of TB services in the conditions of the epidemic.
The training was held in an atmosphere of active discussions, questions and answers, during which participants received answers to all their questions. At the end of the training the participants were awarded certificates.
HIV Prevention in Armenia project is implemented by New Generation Humanitarian NGO with financial support of the RA Ministry of Health from the funds of The Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in cooperation with the National Center for Infectious Diseases CJSC of the RA Ministry of Health.