Intensive Care and Resuscitation Department 

Today we celebrate the 70th anniversary of Ashot Varos Gyulbudaghyan, the esteemed head of one of the cornerstone departments of the Arabkir Medical Center—the Intensive Care and Resuscitation Department.   For decades, Dr. Gyulbudaghyan’s dedicated and tireless work has saved the lives of thousands of children. He is a true professional—one whose compassion and empathy have not only healed young patients but also brought comfort and peace to even the most distressed parents.   Congratulations, dear Ashot Varos! Your contribution is invaluable and immeasurable—not only to Arabkir Medical Center, but to the entire healthcare system of Armenia. We wish you and your loved ones good health, boundless love, and a life filled with light and warmth.    While the work in intensive care is urgent and demanding, capturing it on camera is a slow and careful process. That’s why we invite you to watch a previously aired feature by the  Public TV Company, highlighting a serious case of severe pesticide poisoning in a child.  Watch and listen once again to the words of the distinguished Dr. Ashot Gyulbudaghyan. Dear parents, please remain vigilant when it comes to your children’s health.  

  Our dedicated team of specialists in the Resuscitation and Intensive Care Service successfully saved the life of another child, 2.5-year-old Arpi, who accidentally consumed pesticide from a juice bottle in their garden.    Dear parents, be cautious, keep medicines, pesticides and other harmful substances far away from areas accessible to children. The inadvertent, unconscious indigestion of such substances can lead to the most undesirable consequences.    Thank you, dear doctors.  Thank you, Public TV Company.   At the intensive care unit of "Arabkir" medical center, 2.5-year-old Arpi is peacefully sleeping. Just a few days ago, this child accidentally consumed a highly dangerous and potent agricultural pesticide from a juice bottle at home.  Ashot Gyulbudaghyan /head of the Intensive Care and Resuscitation Service of “Arabkir” Medical Center/ — It is a pesticide to clean trees, which is an organophosphorus compound and is highly toxic. To illustrate its potency, just one gram of this compound is enough to dissolve in 20 liters of water for use.    Doctor Gyulbudaghyan hurries to check the health condition of the child before the girl wakes up and gets into mischief. The little one is being prepared for discharge, or rather, to continue the further course of treatment at the Pediatric Toxicology center. The patient was brought from Charentsavan in an extremely critical condition that the doctors immediately put her on artificial respiration. The case gained attention through a social media post: the life of the little one depends on us, we need to find the medicine that was not readily available. People even offered assistance from Moscow. However, fortunately, the necessary product was found on-site.   Ashot Gyulbudaghyan /head of the Intensive Care and Resuscitation Service of “Arabkir” Medical Center/ — Organophosphorus compound has two antidotes: we had one and administered it immediately. However, the second was not available at our hospital. We contacted the Pediatric Toxicology department, resuscitation in Muratsan, but they did not have it either. Then they contacted the adult toxicology department in Cheryomushka, where the second antidote was available. The parents brought it, and we administered  both antidotes.   The worst is now behind us. The complications that arose from the pesticide exposure and affected the cardiovascular and respiratory systems have been overcome. Arpi has been breathing on her own since Thursday. Thanks to the intensive treatment, they managed to avoid damage to her liver and kidney. However, there are still certain neurological consequences such as convulsions, hand tremors. Ashot Gyulbudaghyan /head of the Intensive Care and Resuscitation Service of “Arabkir” Medical Center/ — As of today, the child’s health has significantly improved, showing positive dynamics. Her consciousness is clear, she is eating normally. Her reactions to the environment are within the expected range. She has certain neurological disorders that result from poisoning, but they are transient.   The important thing is that the body rids itself of the poison. The indicators of our small patients, from fever to food, are recorded in the logbook by the nurses who monitor their health around the clock.   A fragment from nurses’ conversation — The condition is stable. As I can see, she is sleeping. Yes. She will be fed at 11:30, 150 ml.   It is unknown how much pesticide Arpi consumed. The specialist says that one sip, even 5 milligrams, is considered a lethal dose for her weight. In this case, doctors were able to save her, because the child was not hungry, preventing rapid absorption of the substance into her bloodstream. Moreover, the mother promptly induced vomiting, leading to the expulsion of some of the poison.   “I am grateful to everyone” said the father, who requested not to be filmed, and wanted to convey his appreciation. Pediatricians strongly urge him and all parents to be vigilant in keeping medicines and various household chemicals out of reach of  children. Among 2-5 year olds, accidental poisoning is particularly dangerous, as they often put into their mouths what gets into their hands without understanding.

  This time, the Public TV Company visited our little child from Artsakh. They noticed that Monte is missing his mom. We hold onto the hope that the child will recover from this illness without any consequences and will return home with his parents, to his sisters and brothers.   The team of “Arabkir” MC is putting maximum efforts to ensure the well-being of the child.    On June 24, a baby, who was transported by helicopter from Nagorno Karabakh to Armenia in a critical condition, is currently receiving care in the intensive care unit. The baby’s life was saved, and the doctors are now dedicated to helping the child make a complete recovery. Initially, he was diagnosed with tonsillitis, but the virus has affected the baby’s brain. The condition of the baby worsened due to the unavailability of medication caused by the blockade of the Lachin corridor. Monte started crying when he saw his mother. Then he found comfort in his mother’s arms and eventually started to smile. Narine Melkumyan (the mother of the child) - I could not have imagined how it would be, that we would have to move to Armenia and that our child would be saved. Meetings are not held on a daily basis, as the child remains in quarantine within the intensive care unit. Monte is the baby who was airlifted from Nagorno Karabakh to Armenia on June 24th, in an extremely critical condition, accompanied by Russian peacekeepers. The child was diagnosed with tonsillitis, an inflammation of the tonsils, and later it was discovered that the virus had spread to the nervous system, impacting the brain.   Ashot Gyulbudaghyan (the head of the Intensive Care and Resuscitation Service of “Arabkir” Medical Center) - Time was of the essence. Currently, the one-year-old boy is able to drink on his own, move around, and explore us, strangers. Prior to his transfer, the baby was in the “Arevik” Children's Hospital in Stepanakert. During the last two days of his stay, he was in a serious condition. However, due to the road blockade imposed by Azerbaijani side, which included an unauthorized checkpoint on the Hakari bridge and restrictions on Red Cross movement since June 15th, it was challenging to transfer him to Armenia. And only on the morning of June 24th, it was possible to transport the baby by helicopter to Sisian, and from there to Yerevan,using a specially equipped resuscitation vehicle.   Ashot Gyulbudaghyan -  All necessary measures were taken, but the main issue lied in the availability of medication, as there were only two vials of the required treatment. The child remained unconscious, showing no response or reactions, except for movements and reactions to intense pain. The medication administered upon arrival in Yerevan needs to be continued for a duration of 21 days. The medical team is now relieved regarding the child's life, and now they are fighting for his complete recovery, as any delays in treatment may result in disability. Ashot Gyulbudaghyan - The dynamics witnessed over the course of these 16 days provide strong indications that the child is likely to achieve a full and complete recovery.   The medical team anticipates that within 5 days they will be able to remove the label "Monte" from the bed and transfer the baby to a regular ward. Doctor Gyulbudaghyan is confident that the presence of the child's mother will contribute to a faster recovery, given that the issue is related to the nervous system. Monte's mood visibly changed when his mother left, and even his favorite cartoon failed to bring a smile to his face. The neurologist is making efforts to provide comfort and reassurance.   Ani Sharyan (pediatric neurologist) - He looks, follows, and the movements of his hands and legs have fully recovered.   While we were in the intensive care unit, Monte's father waited by the doors of the medical center for the next update.   Karen Grigoryan (the father of the child) - Ehh, you child in front of your eyes…I don’t know… He has not seen his child for 16 days. He is looking at the pictures from Monte’s first birthday party on May 25th, waiting for the moment they can return home to Martakert, where their other two children are waiting for them. In the meantime, when not pacing the hospital corridors, they stay in the accommodation provided by the medical center. The duration of Monte's complete recovery remains uncertain even to the doctors. Even after being transferred to the hospital, it will still take weeks for him to fully recover.

  One-year-old Monte, who was transported from Artsakh to Armenia by helicopter, is showing positive progress and we remain hopeful for his full recovery without any lasting effects.  The team at "Arabkir" Medical Center is dedicated to providing the best possible care for all our patients in need, including little Monte. We would like to highlight that last week, Biayna Sukhudyan, the head of the Neurology and Epileptology service of "Arabkir" MC, returned to Artsakh with the assistance of the Red Cross. She has been in Artsakh for two months since the day before the blockade. There are no pediatric neurologists in Artsakh, while the demand for their services is high. Thank you, dear doctors! Thank you, Azatutyun Radio Station! Monte is still being cared for in the intensive care unit, but what is important is that he has regained consciousness, opened his eyes, is able to move his arms and legs, and sometimes watches cartoons. On June 24th, a one-year-old baby from Artsakh was transported by helicopter in an extremely critical state, with the assistance of Russian peacekeepers. During that time, the Hakari checkpoint was closed by the Azerbaijani side even for seriously ill patients. The helicopter carrying Monte landed in Sisian, where the specially equipped resuscitation vehicle from the "Arabkir" Medical Center was awaiting for his arrival.    "Upon admission, Monte’s condition was severe, presenting with brain inflammation and impaired consciousness and motor functions," explained Ashot Gyulbudaghyan, the head of the intensive care and resuscitation department of the "Arabkir" Medical Center.    According to Gyulbudaghyan, during the child's initial treatment at the "Arevik" Children's Hospital in Stepanakert, attempts were made to manage his condition through remote consultations. However, it eventually became clear that this approach was not feasible. The child was initially admitted with tonsillitis, but the virus later entered the nervous system, affecting the brain.   "This child specifically required antiviral medicine, of which there was only one or two available," stated the head of the resuscitation department of the "Arabkir" Medical Center. "We needed certain specific tests that are only conducted in Armenia," said Ani Sharyan, a pediatric neurologist at the "Arabkir" Medical Center.   The resuscitation, neurology, and rehabilitation specialists have already initiated their work. The doctors of "Arabkir" emphasize that the baby's life is no longer in danger and they hope that a complete recovery will not be delayed. Various specialists approach the small bed named "Monte" one by one, conducting rehabilitation and neurological exercises. In Artsakh, the shortage of neurologists is a particularly pressing issue, as emphasized by pediatric neurologist Ani Sharyan. Since 2011, the specialists of the medical center have been regularly visiting Artsakh for consultations. However, the closure of the roads has further  complicated the situation. A few days ago, Biayna Sukhudyan, the head of the neurological department, arrived in Stepanakert again with the assistance of the Red Cross.   Only parents can truly know what it means to wait hopelessly with a child who has a serious health condition. Monte's father, Karen Grigoryan stated, "In the afternoon, we were informed that the child would be transported to Armenia. We got ready, then we were informed that there are problems on the Azerbaijani side, with the air route not being opened. Negotiations were conducted throughout the night, and at 10 o'clock in the morning, the air route was finally opened. We were then transported to Yerevan by helicopter."   Monte's parents endured a day of waiting in Stepanakert, as their child was already experiencing seizures, hoping for permission from the Azerbaijani side to allow the child to be airlifted to Yerevan. Karen Grigoryan, the father, has yet to see the child in the intensive care unit. He only imagines his face with a smile, reminiscent of happier times before the unfortunate tonsillitis. The medical staff updates the parents twice a day on the child's health condition and occasionally permits the mother to visit her son. "As soon as I utter a word, the child starts crying, and I leave,” said Narine Melkumyan, the mother.    Karen and Narine are waiting for their son's recovery in the accommodation provided by the hospital. They hope that a land or air journey will take the three of them to Martakert in a good mood.

The child from Artsakh, who is one year old, is currently in an extremely critical condition and has been admitted to the "Arabkir" Medical Complex. Earlier today, Russian peacekeepers transported the child by helicopter from Artsakh to Armenia. It is important to note that the child was initially admitted to the "Arevik" Children's Hospital in Stepanakert a few days ago with tonsillitis and rash. However, after a few days of being in the hospital, doctors noticed that the child exhibited drowsiness and unusual, involuntary movements. They contacted their colleagues in the neurology and epileptology service of the "Arabkir" Medical Complex for professional consultation. Currently, there are no pediatric neurologists available in Artsakh, so the medical professionals maintain regular contact with the doctors at "Arabkir" through various remote communication methods.   After conducting multiple video calls and remote observations, the medical team determined that a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) should be performed due to suspicion that the virus had invaded the nervous system, resulting in viral encephalitis and affecting the brain. The doctors in Artsakh promptly arranged for the examination and the diagnosis was confirmed. However, it was not possible to obtain a more detailed diagnosis specifying the exact virus responsible for the issue. This was due to the complete closure of the road to Artsakh for over a week, and the specialized virus tests can only be conducted in Armenia.   Arranging treatment in Artsakh is currently impossible due to the lack of necessary medications in Stepanakert. The child’s health condition was in significant danger, especially when the MRI revealed another serious problem: aside from inflammation, hemorrhage was also observed in the child's brain. The doctors in Artsakh made urgent and selfless efforts to manage the child's condition in the resuscitation department. However, as the days passed, the child’s condition deteriorated further, making it evident that managing his condition in the besieged Stepanakert was no longer feasible and he should be transferred to Yerevan. The process of organizing the transfer took additional 24 hours, during which the child's condition worsened, leading to the onset of convulsions. Consequently, anticonvulsant medication was prescribed.   The child was initially transferred from Artsakh to Sisian via helicopter. From Sisian, the child was transported to Yerevan by the resuscitation and intensive care team of the "Arabkir" Medical Complex, using a specially equipped resuscitation vehicle. Currently, the baby is in the examination phase to further clarify the previously established diagnosis and determine the subsequent treatment plan. 

The resuscitation team of “Arabkir” MC is transporting the 4-month-old baby, who is in critical condition, from Artsakh to “Muratsan” Hospital Complex, Armenia with a critical care car.    The transportation of the child from Artsakh to Armenia became possible thanks to the cooperation of the Ministries of Health of Armenia and Artsakh, the Red Cross Society, “Arevik” Children's Hospital in Stepanakert and “Arabkir” Medical Center. The child was in serious condition for several days in “Arevik” Children’s Hospital and was diagnosed with leishmaniasis.    Thank you to all the devotees who helped to transport the baby to Armenia and to those who work in Artsakh to save children’s lives.