EU, WHO deliver critical COVID supplies to Georgia's frontline health workers

Healthcare workers on the frontlines of battling the COVID-19 pandemic in Georgia received supplies for the effort from the European Union and the World Health Organisation this week.

Respirators, face masks, goggles, face shields and gowns were delivered to those involved in the critical work against the outbreak, with the complete shipment including 1,5 million pieces of personal protective equipment.

A release from the EU and WHO said the package amounted to "one of the largest cargos of protective equipment to arrive in Georgia with donor support". The shipment included 5,000 face shields, 13,200 protective goggles, 30,000 isolation gowns, 1,000,000 medical masks and 328,000 respirator masks.

These supplies will safeguard those in the frontlines of the COVID-19 response, and ensure that the health system is well prepared in case of additional needs in the near future," the release said.

The items in the package, checked for compliance to quality and safety standards before delivery, will equip healthcare workers of the Lugar Centre for Public Health Research, nine regional labs of the National Centre for Disease Control, Emergency Situations Coordination and Urgent Medical Assistance Centre.

Beside the shipment, a future EU and WHO assistance effort for Georgia will involve "training for healthcare workers and frontline responders. The assistance is part of the EU's €400 million (almost GEL 1.5 billion) support for Georgia during the pandemic and economic recovery from it.