Health Minister: Gov’t paid for at least 40% of empty beds during pandemic

The Georgian Government paid for at least 40 percent of the empty beds at Covid clinics over the two years of the pandemic, with the expenses amounting to about ₾1 billion ($328mln/€310mln), Zurab Azarashvili, the Georgian Health Minister, said on Wednesday. 

Azarashvili made the comment in response to claims by Covid clinics in the country about a financial crisis being caused for them by the elimination of Covid-related Government expenses as the daily rate of pandemic figures keep going down.

The Minister noted the Government had paid about ₾180 ($59/€56) for each empty bed at clinics for two years as 60 percent of the total number of beds was occupied at healthcare venues during the pandemic, calling it “unacceptable” for the state to “enrich specific clinics” at the expense of the budget. 

Azarashvili also said in several clinics nurses and doctors had not received supplements paid by the Government, and pointed to cases of salary increases “by a magnitude of five to ten times” for hospital directors and their deputies.

He also said problems had been identified based on inspections of infection control and compliance with protocols at Covid clinics, adding over 20 facilities out of 125 hospitals had already been inspected.

The Minister also said a failure to address notes and problems identified by the state inspection could lead to a temporary suspension of the relevant venues.