Cystic Fibrosis Worldwide with its 56 member countries, medical advisors and multiple international CF working groups offers educational workshops to parents, patients and medical professionals and aids in the development of specialized CF care Centre’s globally. By spreading education about cystic fibrosis among medical professionals, parents and patients we create a long term difference that will have resounding effects on patient’s lives for years to come. Educational workshops are the cornerstone to forging solid programs that can be replicated in countries around the globe. The development of specialized CF care Centre’s contribute to long term survival of patients and the development of standards of care. Through continued evaluations and analysis of the programs and participants, we can successfully tease out program strengths and weaknesses ensuring continued success.

Needs Assessment Armenia
Exact data on the incidence of CF in Armenia is unknown, but there are some reasons to think that it’s one of the most common inherited disorders in region.

Despite this fact, primary diagnostics of CF and treatment of the disease continue stay non integrated and insufficient. Most of the treatment and follow-up are accomplished in different hospitals and clinics throughout Armenia. The diagnoses is made based on the clinical picture, sweat test (on Gibson –Cooke method) and sometimes, though very rarely, upon genetic investigation. (The screening panel consists of only 25 mutations). It is necessary to develop a centralized CF centre and is a top priority in improving the lives of patients living in Armenia.

Education about CF at the Medical University is not adequate therefore;

    • A broad mass of clinicians (especially paediatricians and family physicians) are inadequately informed about the severity of the problem, new approaches for diagnostics, new research and available treatment and medication.

The Ministry of Social Maintenance grants a pension for disability (about 8 EUR per month) to persons with CF. This pension allows them to receive state-paid medical care. Today in Armenia patients have free access to life –saving drugs such as Kreon-10000 and acetylcystein, they also receive ‘’Alfare’’ donated by ‘’Nestle’’ which is distributed by clinicians.

Currently there are 27 diagnosed patients but suspected 50 or more.