Georgian PM reveals plans for enhanced medical services, prioritising patient care

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Thursday unveiled a series of “ambitious initiatives” designed to enhance patient access to medical services, establish fairer remuneration for medical personnel and clinics, and present the project for renovation of the Republican Hospital in the capital city of Tbilisi.

This is a very important project that will contribute to the development of the healthcare sector and, in general, it is essential for our population”, Kobakhidze said during a Government meeting about the Hospital.

One of the new initiatives announced by the Prime Minister is a co-payment mechanism that allows patients to continue utilising high-quality services provided by the Universal Healthcare Programme. The new system will enable patients to opt for additional services, such as choosing specific doctors or ward accommodations, without having to leave the Programme.

This approach, on one hand, will positively impact patients’ financial situations. Thousands of citizens will no longer have to exit the Programme just to access different medical services, which was not possible under the current regulations. On the other hand, this change will enhance access to necessary medical procedures with the involvement of a doctor or nurse chosen based on individual preference, or by utilising preferred consumables”, Kobakhidze said.

Conditions for the co-payment system, including offer limits for services, will be determined by the Health Minister as part of ongoing consultations with the healthcare sector.

The Minister will evaluate these cases and conditions by the end of this year, continuing future consultations with the medical sector. This pertains to the proposed revision of the diagnosis-related group system and the relaxation of relevant regulations, which is expected to benefit both patients and the interests of clinics”, he said.

Addressing issues that arose during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Prime Minister announced a forthcoming decision to eliminate fines imposed on clinics following inspections.

Clinics will be exempt from paying fines if they meet a 20 percent payment requirement. We will initiate relevant normative documents to facilitate this”, he said.

Looking forward, the Government plans to reduce reimbursement times for clinics participating in healthcare programmes through the National Health Agency.

This issue has been consistently raised by clinics, and we are taking concrete steps to address it. We plan to significantly shorten these terms, which will greatly enhance the effectiveness of reimbursing the costs of services provided by clinics and medical personnel involved in healthcare programmes”, Kobakhidze said.

Additionally, new rules will clarify remuneration processes for clinics treating oncological diseases, making the tariff policy more “transparent and equitable”, he added.