A first for the region: state of the art Ken Walker Medical Rehabilitation Clinic opens in Tbilisi with US support
Georgian top officials and American diplomats attended the opening of the new clinic earlier today. Photo: government of Georgia press office.
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Ken Walker Medical Rehabilitation University Clinic opened in Tbilisi earlier today, complete with American and European rehabilitation equipment.
The clinic, which was built with US support, will be the state of the art rehabilitation centre for people with disabilities in the Caucasus which has the capacity to treat up to 200 children and 250 adults at a time.
The idea of building the centre belonged to professor of medicine and neurology in the US Emory University School of Medicine and professor of global health in the Rollins School of Public Health, Ken Walker, who died back in 2018.
Video by the government of Georgia press office.
Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia, who attended the opening ceremony of the centre with other Georgian top officials and American diplomats, stated that the clinic ‘once again reveals the strong partnership between the US and Georgia’ and that the centre is of regional importance.
He stated that the centre was built through the joint efforts of the US and Georgia.
The centre is really stunning. The project would not have been carried out without close cooperation and joint efforts by Emory University, Tbilisi State University, USAID and the Georgian business sector. The centre has a great goal – to make people with disabilities dignified partners of our everyday activities. The centre will also carry a significant regional and international importance,” Gakharia said.
Gakharia thanked USAID for its contribution to the successful completion of the project.
You know that the US, through USAID, has provided genuine financial aid for Georgia over the past 10 years. We have received about 1.5 billion USD in financial aid. However, it is not only about financial support. The most important is the US’ support in strengthening Georgian democracy. The strength of Georgian democratic institutions, education and the medical field are what is making Georgian democracy stronger year by year,” Gakharia said.
PM Gakharia says that the US-Georgia relations are at an all-time high. Photo: government of Georgia press office.
US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Dednan said that Georgia and the US have ‘common values’ and the joint projects like this aim to meet the needs of people.
Degnan praised the country’s efforts to help its people with disabilities and once again welcomed the law recently adopted by the Georgian parliament for the people.
Georgia has progressed much to help people with disabilities,” Degnan said.
She said that the US will continue to support Georgia in various fields, adding that Emory University professionals will help the personnel of the new clinic in the first stage.
The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency has installed six elevators for people with special needs in underpasses in Tbilisi in partnership with Tbilisi City Hall.
The Georgian Parliament has adopted the bill on the Rights of the Disabled People, which aims to create legislative guarantees for individuals with special needs and, accordingly, protect their rights.
The US Embassy to Georgia has welcomed the recent adoption of Georgia’s Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, saying that this law establishes ‘fundamental principles’ to guide the government’s implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), and clarifies the roles and responsibilities of the government in this area.
Fine will increase from the current 10 GEL (4 USD) to 50 GEL (18 USD) for parking in spots which are allocated for vehicles of people with disabilities. The Georgian parliament has approved the bill with its third and final reading earlier today.