Georgian PM announces delay in Tbilisi’s Republican Hospital demolition until construction of new facility

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Saturday announced that the planned demolition of the Tbilisi-based Central University Clinic, also known as the Republican Hospital, would be postponed until the construction of a new facility on the rear part of the Clinic’s territory.

At the press briefing, following the meeting between the PM, Health Minister Zurab Azarashvili and the medical staff of the hospital, Kobakhidze noted the ongoing process of reorganisation would be suspended and appropriate legal documentation would be prepared.

Regarding the doctors who signed compensation agreements, Kobakhidze said the specific details would be addressed in the coming days in collaboration with the Health and hospital staff, while stressing that both the Government and the Health Ministry would cooperate on an alternative project in the upcoming months.

He explained that the initial plan involved using a certain territory of the hospital area for investment purposes and demolishing the existing hospital building for the construction of a new one, but an alternative proposal from the doctors suggested building a new hospital in the rear area and using the front one for investment, similar to the plan proposed in 2007 by Bidzina Ivanishvili, the former PM, ruling Georgian Dream party founder and current Honorary Chair of the party. 

We'll work on this project, conduct relevant studies, and prepare proposals to build a hospital in the rear part and utilise the front area for investment purposes”, Kobakhidze affirmed.

Acknowledging the need for the construction of a new Republican Hospital due to the inadequate condition of the current one, the PM assured that a new hospital would be built in the coming years and meanwhile, relevant measures would be implemented to maintain the current hospital's functioning and operation and improve its infrastructure.

There have been infrastructural problems in the Republican Hospital, but there is no risk of the building's collapse”, the Head of the Government told the reporters, highlighting the importance of the hospital to continue working “at full capacity”.

Kobakhidze also emphasised the need for the private sector’s involvement in the construction of the new project to alleviate the burden on the state budget. He pledged to offer the most optimal investment project for the city and the country.

The sides had their first meeting on Friday to discuss the demolition plan of the facility and its replacement with a new clinic.