Nothing magnified the limitations of Armenia’s aging oxygen generating system more than the pandemic. As the number of COVID cases surged, so did the need for supplemental oxygen, which was essential to keep patients alive. The country’s obsolete oxygen-generating equipment was in a near-constant state of disrepair as it struggled to keep up with the overwhelming demand.
The Armenian American Medical Society (AAMS) partnered with the Armenian American Medical Association of Boston, and the Armenian Healthcare Association of the Bay Area to address this critical need. Together, we raised funds for a new oxygen generation facility at the A.Alikhanyan National Science Laboratory, in Yerevan.
On May 23, 2021, the AAMS held its Breath of Life event to support this project. This fundraiser was held at The Roof in Los Angeles and was broadcast on ARTN TV and streamed on social media. Once again, AAMS members and supporters came through to raise enough money to see the project to completion.
The installation was recently completed, thanks to the generosity of our members and supporters. Armenia now has a state-of-the-art Cryogen Center/Oxygen Generator that will produce enough liquid oxygen for the entire country, including healthcare, research, and the military sectors over the next 50 years. Given the pandemic is again surging around the world, this couldn’t have come at a better time.
