PM says “thousands” have benefited from state-funded social, medial programmes
The PM on Friday presented his office’s annual report to the Parliament. Photo: Government press office
Tweet 
Share
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Friday said “thousands” of the country’s citizens had benefited from budget-funded social and medical programmes, and pledged several of the packages would be extended.
In his Parliamentary report on the Government’s work, Garibashvili said general prices for medicines on the domestic market had been reduced by 60-80 percent following the import of medications from Turkey starting in 2021.
He said thanks to his initiative the country’s citizens had saved up to ₾200 million ($76mln) on more than 550 most in-demand medications.
He also noted the latest initiative earlier this year on the Government financing treatment for 300 children patients of cancer in the country in the “best clinics” around the world in a ₾30 million ($12mln) annual programme until “high-standard” domestic clinics are launched.
He added geographical access to dialysis services had increased over the years and covered 39 medical facilities across the country, with an additional 12 planned in the future.
Hailing the General Healthcare Programme launched by Georgian Dream authorities in 2013, Garibashvili said it had covered 95 percent of the country’s population and funded 11 million cases with ₾7 billion ($2.6 mln) since its launch.
Programmes that subsidise mortgage loans for families with newborn children and multi-child families since 2021 have subsidised six percent of their loans for 4,700 beneficiaries so far, he added.
The PM also told lawmakers the Government had handed new accommodation to more than 32,000 internally displaced families since 2012.
The Government of Georgia on Monday announced it would transfer 342 residential premises currently occupied by 337 internally displaced families across the country to their formal ownership.
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.
About 200 types of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)-standard drugs, imported from Turkey, will be available on the Georgian market in about a month, Deputy Health Minister Ilia Gudushauri said on Monday.
The Georgian government will subsidise mortgage loans for families with newborn children and multi-child families starting September 1, Economy Minister Natia Turnava announced earlier today. Eligible families will have 12 months starting September 1 to apply for loans.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Friday highlighted financial investment by Bidzina Ivanishvili, the former Prime Minister and founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party, into the country’s western region of Adjara, in comments at the Parliament.
The Georgian Ministry of Health and medical institutions in Israel, Spain and Turkey will sign agreements on cooperation this month to offer treatment to 300 children patients of cancer in Georgia in a ₾30 million ($11.56mln) annual programme. The programme - fully financed by the state - would be a “transitional stage” until services are strengthened in Georgia, and a children's oncology centre, equipped with modern standards and high-tech equipment, is created in the country.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said pensions for pensioners aged 70 years and older would increase by ₾50 ($18.62) and become ₾415 ($154.58), while for pensioners under 70 it would be raised by ₾20 ($7.45) and reach ₾315 ($117.33).
The Ministry of Health on Wednesday said 10 centres for dialysis had been launched across Georgia this year to bring the service closer to patients.