Georgian State Program Supports Overseas Oncology Treatment for Children
By Liza Mchedlidze
Monday, June 24, 2024
Georgian Deputy Health Minister Tamar Gabunia announced on Friday that 30 children diagnosed with cancer have completed their treatment abroad and returned to Georgia. These children were beneficiaries of a state program that finances oncological treatment in foreign medical institutions. Now, they will continue their health monitoring in Georgian clinics.
Launched in August last year, the programme has provided treatment for 92 children abroad, with three more recently joining. Gabunia detailed that six clinics are involved in this initiative, four located in Turkey and the others in Spain and Israel.
"The treatment of these children has amounted to 5.5 million GEL," Gabunia stated, emphasizing that there are no restrictions on including patients with a confirmed cancer diagnosis in the programme.
Gabunia explained that a special council, composed of international experts including doctors from the Georgian diaspora, evaluates each patient's condition before their inclusion in the program. This council also recommends which medical institution would be most suitable for each patient.
"The Ministry has certain statistics on the types of problems that might not be thoroughly managed in partner clinics," Gabunia noted, highlighting plans to expand the number of clinics involved in the programme to better address these issues.
