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Armenia's underground salt mine clinic for asthma patients faces uncertain future
🇷🇸 Serbia /Health & Science

Armenia's underground salt mine clinic for asthma patients faces uncertain future

From N1 Serbia · () Serbian

Translated from Serbian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • A clinic in an active Armenian salt mine offers speleotherapy, a treatment for respiratory illnesses like asthma.
  • Patients spend six hours daily in the salt mine's chambers, benefiting from the unique air composition and stable environment.
  • The clinic, operating since 1987, faces an uncertain future as Armenia has withdrawn state funding, raising questions about supporting alternative medicine.

Deep within an active salt mine in Armenia, a unique clinic offers a novel treatment for respiratory ailments. Patients descend 250 meters daily into the cavernous salt chambers, seeking relief from conditions like asthma through speleotherapy.

I have tried every possible treatment, and this is the only one that has worked. I thought it was complete nonsense before I tried it, but now I truly believe in it. It saved me.

— Mikael TorosyanAn asthma patient describes his positive experience with speleotherapy in the salt mine.

This alternative treatment, based on the belief that the salt-saturated, allergen-free air of the mine can alleviate respiratory diseases, has been practiced since 1987. Patients spend six hours a day in the subterranean environment, finding solace and improved breathing in the quiet, stable conditions.

"I have tried every possible treatment, and this is the only one that has worked," said Mikael Torosyan, an asthma patient. "I thought it was complete nonsense before I tried it, but now I truly believe in it. It saved me."

It looks unusual, but after a few days, people start to enjoy the peace.

— Anush VoskanyanA doctor at the clinic describes the patient experience and the therapeutic environment.

Anush Voskanyan, a doctor at the clinic since 1989, explained that the idea originated from observing the low incidence of respiratory diseases among mine workers. The clinic's microclimate, characterized by 19-degree Celsius temperatures year-round and the absence of allergens, pollution, and noise, is considered ideal for healing.

This is the perfect climate for living. You practically don't age here.

— Anush VoskanyanThe doctor explains the health benefits attributed to the mine's microclimate.

However, the future of this unusual medical facility is now in doubt. Armenia has withdrawn state funding, prompting a broader discussion about the government's role in supporting alternative medicine. What was once a facility treating thousands annually, with many receiving free care, now sees only a handful of patients, casting a shadow over its continued operation.

We used to receive up to 60 people at once. Today, there are probably five.

— Anush VoskanyanThe doctor laments the significant decline in patient numbers.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by N1 Serbia in Serbian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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