Existence of alternative state oncology facilities for children, adults are “vitally important” - Health Minister
He noted the meetings had been held with the Israeli delegation, assessing the possibilities of the country both in terms of infrastructure and equipment. Photo via Government Administration
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Georgian Health Minister Zurab Azarashvili on Friday said the existence of alternative institutions providing essential services for children with oncological diseases was “of vital importance”, adding that working in this direction has already started.
Azarashvili said a special group was created to study the experience and practice of different countries, as the knowledge of foreign colleagues would “significantly” help Georgia in this regard, adding Israel had one of the best practices.
He noted the meetings had been held with the Israeli delegation, assessing the possibilities of the country both in terms of infrastructure and equipment.
In his announcement, Azarashvili also highlighted the question of relevant medical staff and training, as well as the creation of resident programmes.
Patients in western Georgia’s Black Sea region of Adjara will benefit from an increased funding for heart and bone marrow transplantation, with treatment of malignant tumour to be also “fully covered” within a new healthcare programme in the locality.
Import of medications from the Turkish market has “significantly” decreased the prices of “dozens” of medical products in Georgia, Health Minister Zurab Azarashvili said on Saturday.
The costs of medical drugs are expected to decrease by 40 percent next year following the anticipated introduction of reference prices, the Georgian government administration announced on Wednesday.
A 1 million GEL (about €288,329/$320,320) programme will be launched in Georgia’s Black Sea region of Adjara to provide assistance to infertile individuals living in the region, Tornike Rizhvadze, the Head of the local Government, announced on Tuesday.
Georgian Health Minister Zurab Azarashvili on Friday said the reference prices set for medicines would come into effect on February 15 and all companies, importers, distributors or retailers would be required to establish a maximum upper limit accordingly.
Tbilisi’s hilltop TV tower, like the landmarks of different cities across the world, was illuminated in blue and orange colours on Saturday for World Cancer Day.
The Georgian Health Ministry on Thursday said it would have a “strict response” to “artificially increased prices” on expensive oncological medicines, after the “significant” surge of prices by “some” pharmaceutical companies.
Georgian Deputy Health Minister Tamar Barkalaia on Thursday said a recent survey on Child Welfare, conducted by the National Statistics Office of Georgia with the support of UNICEF, highlighted the country’s “substantive progress” in reducing child poverty.
The Ministry of Health of Georgia on Thursday announced three new clinics were added to the state programme financing oncological treatment of children under 18 at foreign medical institutions.