Georgian PM unveils vision for healthcare, defence, social support policies in election programme

Irakli Kobakhidze, the head of the ruling Georgian Dream party's election staff and the Prime Minister of Georgia, on Monday said healthcare was an area the Government was “particularly proud of”, and emphasised success of the Universal Healthcare Programme, which he said had benefited “over three million citizens” of the country and financed “more than 13 million medical cases” with a total funding of ₾8.5 billion ($3.10bln) from the state budget.

Speaking at the presentation of the party’s election programme ahead of the October 26 parliamentary vote, Kobakhidze outlined the Government’s plans for about 100 new targeted healthcare programs, including the “ambitious task” of building a “high-standard” Republican Hospital in the capital city of Tbilisi.

[On] results of our investments in healthcare from 2012 to the present, the average life expectancy in the country has increased from 72 to 75 years. Access to medical services has also increased, and the number of people unable to seek healthcare due to financial constraints has decreased by fivefold. In fact, there has been a fivefold increase in financial access to health services”, he said.

The Prime Minister highlighted an “impressive” budget growth for health and social care, with expenditures expected to reach almost ₾8 billion ($2.91bln) by 2024. He said this increase demonstrated the Government's commitment to social expenditures, which would exceed 27 percent of the total budget.

Kobakhidze also discussed the “substantial rise” in funding for social assistance and pensions, with allocations projected to reach ₾6 billion ($2.19bln) by 2024.

He also underscored the Government’s efforts to introduce “objective criteria” for the distribution of social assistance, ensuring that funding was allocated based on “genuine need” rather than “electoral goals”.

This has led to a significant increase in specific funding, particularly for the social package for persons with disabilities”, he said.

The Prime Minister further claimed housing provisions for internally displaced persons had “failed” under the former Government until 2012.

The [new] Government has been able to provide housing for 35,000 IDP families out of a total of 75,000 between 2012 and 2024. Additionally, 6,000 families are set to receive flats in newly built buildings under current projects”, he said.

Kobakhidze also emphasised the importance of developing defence capabilities and outlined plans to invest in the national military industry, adding infrastructure development and military bases were “key components” of the Government’s plan.

Furthermore, he said the Government was focusing on social support for the military, including the Army City project, which aims to provide over 1,000 soldiers with flats in the coming years.

Similarly, the Police City project will provide accommodation for more than 1,000 police officers in newly built blocks, Kobakhidze said, adding the Government also planned to update material and technical bases and develop infrastructure for both the police and fire and rescue services, as improving social conditions of police officers was “also a priority”.

The Prime Minister also noted this year’s economic growth had enabled the Government to raise pensions to ₾350 ($127.52) and ₾450 ($163.95) by 2025, instead of ₾335 ($122.05) and ₾435 ($158.48) as originally planned for by the indexation. He added the increase in pensions would continue in the coming years.

While this growth is significant, we recognise that it is still insufficient. We will strive to increase pensions beyond indexation every year in line with the growing economy. Although we have introduced the indexation rule, which ensures that pension increases at least match inflation, the current economic growth allows us to raise pensions to ₾350 and ₾450”, he said.

An increase in budgets will also allow us to increase salaries. Public service will see a 10 percent salary increase next year, continuing the trend of recent years. Additionally, the salaries of staff in kindergartens, art, and sports schools will be increased by ₾100 ($36.43) starting from January 1, going beyond the standard increase”, Kobakhidze added.

The Prime Minister also said there would be increased investments in the economy based on the current growth figures.

He added the Government’s forecast indicated that an additional $9 billion in foreign direct investment would be attracted over the next four years.