PM sets 2024 as start of construction for Tbilisi's new Republican Hospital

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Monday instructed the Minister of Health to present the new project for Tbilisi’s Central University Clinic, also known as the Republican Hospital, “as soon as possible” with the goal to start the construction this year.

Kobakhidze noted the Government had made the “best decision” to stop reorganisation of the existing venue and create an alternate project for the new facility, to allow for a complete renovation of the Hospital and “ensure protection of the interests” of its employees.

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The topic was highlighted at the weekly Government meeting earlier, with the discussion also reviewing the law on paid internships for young people, adopted last year. Kobakhidze said the initiative would commence in pilot mode this year, with at least two to three thousand university graduates having the opportunity to undergo paid internships in state agencies for a minimum of four months in 2024.

Additionally, the Government head said his office would collaborate with municipalities and the private sector to provide young people with opportunities for paid internships “in various sectors”.

I request the Minister of Education, in collaboration with the Minister of Finance, to provide a comprehensive plan for the upcoming Government session. This plan should outline paid internship opportunities for young graduates, encompassing positions within governmental bodies and municipalities and fostering collaboration with the private sector”, Kobakhidze said.

The Government meeting also discussed an update of the national goals for education, which will undergo public review by the Ministry for the first time since 2004 and then be sent to the Parliament.

The primary objective of the general education system will be to establish a school atmosphere that emphasises national and patriotic spirit, personal growth, appreciation for the institution of the family, universal ethical principles and democratic values”, Kobakhidze said, adding it was “very important” to ensure the development of the system was “based on the right values”.

In other topics, the PM also urged related state authorities to continue talks on updated conditions on interest rates for loans issued to pensioners.

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He thanked Liberty Bank for making the decision to lower interest rates on loans taken by over 150,000 pensioners, saying the Bank had showed “high social responsibility” with the move.

We understand the Bank has commercial interests. However, it has also shown a high level of social responsibility by reducing the interest rate by a few percentage points”, the PM said.

Talks involving Kobakhidze, Natia Turnava, the Acting Governor of the National Bank, and Beka Gogichaishvili, the Chief Executive Officer of Liberty Bank, last week resulted in the reduction of the interest rates for pensioners.