Gov’t to finance treatment of children cancer patients in Spain, Israel, Turkey
The programme 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. Photo: PM's press office
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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 Government Administration announced on Monday 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.
Health Minister Zurab Azarashvili said in a press briefing after Monday’s Government meeting patients would be able to start treatment in the partnering facilities “probably starting next month”.
Parents will have the opportunity to choose clinics where they want their children to be treated, which we will fully finance. From these three clinics, in the case of Turkey and Spain the proposed tariffs include one companion in addition to patients”, Azarashvili said.
The Minister added in the case of facilities in Israel, where the additional expense is not included, the costs would be covered by the Solidarity Fund, established in 2014 on the initiative of Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili to encourage donations for covering treatment for children with cancer and other priority social needs.
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.
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.
Georgian Health Minister Zurab Azarashvili on Monday said the Ministry would finance "year-long medication needs" for oncology patients and was in talks with drug manufacturers.
Oncology patients in Georgia will be able to complete full courses of drug treatment with state funding. There are more than 38,000 oncology patients in Georgia.
The Georgian Government will fully finance treatment of children with oncological diseases in medical institutions of Israel, Spain and Turkey after signing a deal on cooperation with partner clinics on Monday, the Health Ministry announced.
Hormone therapy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and medicines will be financed for all oncology patients throughout Georgia, the Ministry of Health said on Wednesday.
The Georgian Government on Monday said it would fund oncological surgery, both planned and emergency, for all cancer patients without the state-funded insurance, and announced tougher regulations for dental service providers to ensure higher standards for safety.
The Georgian Health Ministry on Monday rejected claims by domestic media outlets on children patients of oncological illnesses not being able to benefit from the state programme covering costs of their treatment abroad.