By Arpineh Minasyan

Vrej Sahag, a Syrian-Armenian physician loves his profession because, as he says, it allows him to help people.

Vrej works at the Sevan Polyclinic as a dermatologist and a specialist in sexually transmitted infections.  There are many who come to him for his special kind of assistance.

“I first came to Armenia in 1999 to continue my education. I enrolled at the Yerevan State Medical University and received my first degree in general surgery. Afterwards I returned to Syria,” says the 34 year-old native of Qamishli.

Vrej returned to Armenia one and a half years later and received a degree in dermatology and sexually transmitted infections. After graduating, the Ministry of Health sent him to Sevan to work.

The young physician speaks proudly about his roots that go back to western Armenia. His father’s side of the family hails from Bitlis and his mother’s kin from Moush.

“My parents, my two sisters and my brother were born in Syria,” he tells me.

The rest of Vrej’s family has stayed on in Qamishli, which, according to Vrej hasn’t been affected by the civil war raging in Syria. He says he can still contact them by phone.

Vrej has no desire to return to Syria. He’s already acclimatized to life in Armenia.

“This is my homeland and I came here willingly. But my relatives don’t want to come because they have work over there and there is no immediate danger facing them. If that changes, they will be forced to come,” Vrej says.

He says that in order to turn Sevan into a true destination spot for tourists much needs to be done.

“This is a great town. But there must be job creation for people to stay. Staff members from my hospital   have left. The prime reason for the exodus is that people see the same street and same pothole. It infuriates them. As a patriot, a physician and a citizen, I don’t want to see the country emptied. You can’t build anything on mere emptiness.”

Vrej says that life in his native town of Qamishli might not be the best, but there is work.

“Syria is a large country. There is money and jobs. They must spur tourism in Sevan. Beautify the gardens, invest, and open cafes and restaurants. What’s vital is that everyone lives well,” concludes Vrej.