Healthcare in Georgia

Healthcare in Georgia refers to the healthcare system and medical services available in the country of Georgia. The system has undergone significant reforms since the early 2000s with the aim of improving the overall health standards and accessibility of medical services for its population.

History

The healthcare system in Georgia has transitioned from a Soviet-style system, which was centrally planned and state-run, to a more decentralized and privatized system. This transition began in earnest in the early 2000s, with substantial reforms introduced to reduce the role of the state and increase the role of private healthcare providers.

Healthcare System

The Georgian healthcare system is characterized by a mix of public and private healthcare providers. In 2013, Georgia implemented a universal health care program, which is funded by the state and aims to provide access to basic medical services for all Georgian citizens and registered residents. This program covers primary healthcare, emergency care, and several types of specialized treatments.

Primary Healthcare

Primary healthcare in Georgia is provided through a network of state and private clinics and hospitals. Primary care physicians generally serve as the first point of contact for patients and handle a wide range of medical issues, referring patients to specialists as necessary.

Hospital Care

Georgia has a range of both public and private hospitals that provide secondary and tertiary care. These hospitals are equipped to handle more complex health issues, including surgeries, serious illnesses, and emergencies.

Health Indicators

The life expectancy in Georgia is approximately 73.6 years, which has been gradually increasing due to better healthcare services and improved living conditions. However, the country still faces challenges with non-communicable diseases such as heart disease and cancer being the leading causes of death.

Challenges

Despite improvements, the healthcare system in Georgia faces several challenges:

• Healthcare accessibility varies significantly between urban and rural areas.
• The quality of healthcare services and the availability of modern medical technology are inconsistent.
• There is a need for more healthcare professionals, particularly in rural areas.

Future Directions

The Georgian government continues to work on healthcare reforms to improve the efficiency and quality of services. This includes investments in healthcare infrastructure, increasing the healthcare workforce, and further developing health insurance schemes to cover more treatments and medications.

See Also

• Health insurance in Georgia
• Public health in Georgia
• List of hospitals in Georgia