Dear Colleagues and Friends,

We are proud to welcome you to the Neonatal/Perinatal Medical Forum, being held in Yerevan, Armenia, from 11-12 of March 2016.

Eminent international speakers from the fields of Neonatology and Perinatology will provide comprehensive, up-to-date, research-based answers to the most frequent questions that arise at the patient’s cot side in everyday practice.

Although remarkable progress has been made in recent decades to reduce the number of child deaths globally, too many newborns continue to die each year despite the availability of feasible, evidence-based solutions. Newborn deaths and stillbirths are reducing more slowly than under-5 deaths and maternal deaths. Countries of our region have a similar economic background, financial structure and history of health care development and still have many similar problems in the health system.

In Armenia child mortality has decreased by 44 % in the last 16 years and also there is a reduction in neonatal mortality. This is a result of introduction of advanced perinatal technologies, organizational changes and close collaboration with foreign colleagues. Among them, the regionalization of perinatal care, modern non-invasive technologies for treating respiratory diseases, early diagnosis of perinatal brain lesions and the establishment of follow up for newborns at risk of the developmental problems.

I am sure that the conference will bring great benefits and will encourage further cooperation between experts of our countries and provide a forum to facilitate the exchange of information and knowledge.

Best wishes for an enjoyable visit to Yerevan, as well as a highly productive and successful conference.

Warmest regards.

Pavel A. Mazmanyan
Chairman NPMF2016