New digital health project launched in Georgia

The European Union, together with four UN organisations (WHO, UNFPA, UNICEF, UNOPS) and the Ministry of IDPs from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia have launched a new initiative on digital health: ‘Minimising the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak in Georgia through telemedicine and digital health solutions’.

Under this new EU-UN action, 200 rural facilities will receive basic equipment, and another 50 will receive telemedicine equipment to support the safe management of COVID-19. At the same time, the new equipment will be used to ensure uninterrupted access to health care for persons with chronic conditions and provision of routine health services for children. 

Health care providers will also be invited to participate in online training to improve and expand their capacity to provide quality primary health care (PHC) services. 

“Introducing telemedicine in primary health care clinics in the regions will significantly improve the system, bringing positive results to both the population and to doctors,” said Ekaterine Tikaradze, Minister of IDPs from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs. 

“Apart from supporting the immediate response to COVID-19 at the PHC level, this project is going to build a solid and sustainable foundation for digital health and telemedicine in Georgia, by supporting the development of the necessary legal and regulatory frameworks, clinical guidelines, provision of specific trainings for PHC personnel and promoting the use of telemedicine services among health care providers and the population,” said Silviu Domente, WHO Representative and Head of Country Office in Georgia.

‘Minimising the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak in Georgia through telemedicine and digital health solutions’ is funded by the EU and aims to harness the potential of digital tools for advancing telehealth services and promoting health in Georgia. 

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