IMPORTANCE AND SPECIFICITIES OF THE WORK WITH KEY POPULATIONS IN THE CONTEXT OF EPIDEMICS PREVENTION. TRAINING FOR MEDICAL WORKERS
On April 27-28, 2023, sensitization training was held for medical workers on the topic of Importance and Specificities of the Work with the Key Populations in the Context of Prevention of Epidemics by New Generation Humanitarian NGO (NGNGO).
The goal of the training was to raise the awareness of Armenian medical workers on the specificities of work with the key populations of the Armenian State Strategic Program for HIV/AIDS Prevention, the importance of provision of needs-based and competent services to the vulnerable groups, especially in the context of prevention of epidemics, enhance their awareness and sensitization on the importance of friendly and non-discriminatory service provision.
On the first day of the training course, participants got to know each other, then legal expert Shushan Khnkoyan presented the topic of the Right to health, talked about the existing domestic and international protection mechanisms for the vulnerable population. In the second half of the day, the expert presented the topic of stigma and the manifestations and types of discrimination, domestic and international legal regulations prohibiting discrimination. The working day was concluded with the discussion of cases of discrimination in healthcare systems and violations of the right to health. 
On the second day of the training course, Hmayak Avetisyan, a specialist in sexuality and gender issues, healthcare competence, discussed with the participants the local and regional studies and researches carried out in the health sector of Armenia, prevalence of stigma and discrimination in the field of healthcare which create barriers to the access to services, possible ways of overcoming those barriers, basic concepts of sexuality, gender identities, and the need for specific packages of health services for vulnerable groups.
The manual for medical workers developed within the project on Support to the Armenian State Strategic Program for HIV/AIDS Prevention, through joint efforts and cooperation between the NGO expert and Ministry of Health of Armenia on the topics of the Importance and Specificities of the Work with the Key Populations in the Context of Prevention of Epidemics was also presented by the expert to the training participants.
The training went on in an atmosphere of active discussions, questions and answers, including theoretical lectures and practical workshops.
The training was organized with financial support of Gilead Sciences Inc․
