Healthcare system ready to take more Coronavirus patients, Tikaradze says
By Liza Mchedlidze
Wednesday, March 18
Ekaterine Tikaradze, Georgia's health minister, says the healthcare system has been prepared for a possible outbreak of the Coronavirus and if necessary, the system is ready to receive increased flow of patients:
“We have listed all the additional hospitals that we plan to include in the program over the last week and this is an additional 600 beds that will be ready to receive patients within 24 to 48 hours. Both infrastructure and staff readiness for coronavirus patients has been reviewed and we can boldly say that the system is ready for the expected increased flow of patients, starting this week,” said Tikaradze.
According to the Minister, the number of breathing machines and medical personnel is enough at this point. She also noted that Coronavirus patients in Georgia have not been in need for breathing machines so far.
“We have 150 breathing machines prepared. They will be in use when needed. We are working together with the Healthcare circle, as well as doctors who are treating patients. The number of doctors is sufficient, they are ready and undergoing some consultations and training to meet the needs of each step taken,” said Tikaradze.
PM Gakharia stated after the Coordination Council meeting on March 16th that Georgia is moving on from the phase of stopping Coronavirus to the phase of an outbreak.
“This transition is very important and we need to be ready in this regard, first and foremost, with the healthcare system. The readiness of the health system means that it must be fully prepared to receive an increased number of patients,” Gakharia told reporters.
There are 34 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Georgia at this stage, one of which has been cured.
