Gov’t to finance “full treatment” of 300 children cancer patients abroad, says PM

The Georgian Government will finance treatment for 300 children cancer patients in the country in the “best clinics” around the world in a ₾30 million ($12mln) annual programme, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili announced on Monday.

Garibashvili said ₾10 million ($4mln) per year was spent in treatment of children patients in the country, but noted domestic facilities lacked some of the requirements to ensure treatment of young patients, leading the Government to deciding to finance medical procedures - including options such as proton therapy, radiation and others - abroad, for €10,000 per course. 

Not everyone has the opportunity to afford this, and neither does the state, because we have certain restrictions in this direction - such services are financed by the state programme of referral services - so this issue was unsettled and undecided previously”, he explained. 

According to our decision, 300 oncology patients will be fully financed by the state. We have selected the best clinics in the world where these children will be treated”, the PM added, noting the costs would include accommodation and travel.

Garibashvili said the latest initiative was coming on the back of the efforts made through the Solidarity Fund, created in 2014 on his initiative to encourage donations for covering treatment for children with cancer and other priority social needs.

He also pointed out children patients with diabetes received benefits from ₾30 million ($12mln) in annual state financing under a programme that had been expanded recently to include both analysis and treatment.