Every day, new achievements are made in the field of medicine worldwide: new diagnostic methods, more effective medications. However, there are still many issues in controlling chronic diseases.
Perhaps one of the main reasons is that patients do not properly follow doctors’ prescriptions or adhere to instructions aimed at improving lifestyle and adopting a healthy way of life. In most cases, patients do not cooperate with their doctors, nor take responsibility for their health restoration and maintenance. The issue of low adherence to treatment is also mentioned in international guidelines for managing chronic diseases.
On September 24, 2024, the World Heart Federation, together with several international medical associations and public organizations, signed a declaration officially designating March 27 as "International Adherence Day", aiming to raise patients’ awareness of the problem and all the complications arising due to low treatment adherence. This important mission was joined by the international pharmaceutical company "Les Laboratoires Servier", as well as its Armenian representation.
Armenia was not left aside either. On March 7, Armenian medical associations united and signed a similar memorandum aimed at improving the effectiveness of treatment and adherence among Armenian patients.
On March 27, International Adherence Day was marked with specialists giving speeches, and leading doctors answering questions.
Participating Leading Specialists
Professor Hamlet Hayrapetyan: President of the Cardiology Association of Armenia, honorary member of several international associations, Head of the Cardiology Department of YSMU, Chief Advisor in Cardiology at the Ministry of Health of RA, Head of the Cardiology Center at "Erebouni" MC, and Head of the Emergency Cardiology Department of the same center.
Professor Hovhannes Manvelyan: Vice President of the Neurology Association of Armenia, Head of the Neurology Department at Mkhitar Heratsi YSMU, Head of Neurology Services at "Astghik" Medical Center.
Professor Tigran Sultanyan: vascular surgeon, Head of the Cardiovascular Surgery Department of YSMU, President of the Armenian Association of Vascular Surgeons, and Head of Vascular Surgery Services at the Mikayelyan, Vladimir Avagyan, and "Astghik" Medical Centers.
Dr. Naira Gogyan: Candidate of Medical Sciences, Physician-Endocrinologist at the Internal Diseases Department of the No. 1 University Hospital of Mkhitar Heratsi YSMU, Chief Consultant in Endocrinology at the Ministry of Health of RA, and Member of the Expert Council on Diabetes Problems of CIS member states.
Dr. Khachatur Gasparyan: Head of the Department of Medical Psychology at YSMU, Director of the "Intra" Mental Health Center.
Dr. Lamara Manukyan: Therapist-Cardiologist, Geriatrician, Assistant at the Family Medicine Department of the National Institute of Health, President of the Armenian Association of Internal Medicine.