Nursing, midwifery to become regulated professions, Gov’t says
Discussed at today’s Government meeting, the amendments would involve introduction of registration or certification exams to obtain qualifications for the practice as independent nursing and midwifery nurses. Photo: PM's press office
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Nursing and midwifery will become regulated professions in Georgia in a bid to improve the quality of medical services, promote education and professional development of nurses and midwives and overcome shortages of nursing staff, the Government Administration said on Monday.
Discussed at today’s Government meeting, the amendments would involve introduction of registration or certification exams to obtain qualifications for the practice as independent nursing and midwifery nurses.
Practising nurse qualifications will be obtained after passing exams following graduation from professional colleges, while registered nurse titles will be granted through exams after bachelor’s degree graduation.
The amendments also involve improving professional development opportunities for nurses and midwives, including through implementation of post-diploma education and continuous professional development programmes.
The Administration said individuals with professional qualifications who had received them before January 1, 2020 would maintain their status and be able to obtain the professional title if they had obtained complete general education and undergone three years of relevant work experience.
It added the bill for the amendments followed “European experience” and would be sent to the Parliament “in the nearest future”.
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The Georgian Ministry of Health will fully finance liver transplantation surgeries, increasing the state support from partial coverage, the Georgian Government Administration announced on Monday. In addition, liver, heart or kidney transplantations are now used to classify patients as having “significant disability”, in a change that came into force in January.
Tamar Gabunia, the Georgian Deputy Health Minister, on Tuesday told the World Health Assembly in Geneva her Government was working to improve maternal, newborn and child health services across the country.
Irakli Garibashvili, the Prime Minister of Georgia, on Monday said the Government funding of domestic healthcare programmes had hit ₾7 billion ($2.7 billion) over the past 10 years, in comments marking an anniversary of the State Universal Healthcare Programme.
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