PM: Georgia targets European-level healthcare reform

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has outlined the government’s intention to carry out comprehensive reforms of the country’s healthcare system, saying the goal is to raise the quality of medical services to the level seen in countries such as Türkiye, Germany, Israel and Austria.

According to Georgian media cited by Caliber.Az, Kobakhidze acknowledged that although Georgia’s healthcare system has been developing gradually, many citizens continue to travel abroad for treatment because they are dissatisfied with the standard of care available domestically.

He said that only a systematic, well-planned approach would allow Georgia, in the medium term, to achieve the quality of medical services provided in leading healthcare systems abroad.

“We want to develop a strategic plan in all areas that will deliver not gradual improvements, but transformative, breakthrough changes,” the prime minister said.

Kobakhidze proposed bringing healthcare professionals into the reform process and expressed readiness for open discussions with representatives of various sectors, including in formats that allow for opposing opinions and critical debate.

Georgia has operated a universal healthcare program since 2013, alongside state subsidies for medicines for socially vulnerable groups, including low-income citizens, pensioners and people with disabilities.

The universal healthcare system covers six categories of the population: children under the age of five; students; pensioners; people with disabilities; teachers and socially vulnerable citizens; individuals with high and middle incomes; citizens with welfare ratings between 70,000 and 100,000 points; adolescents aged 6 to 18; as well as people with low and irregular incomes.

In addition, the state finances treatment for certain rare diseases and, in particularly severe cases, sends patients abroad to receive medical services that are not available within Georgia.

By Tamilla Hasanova