During a country visit to Georgia on 18–23 December 2020, Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, discussed priority areas for health with high-level representatives. The visit was also an opportunity to speak with health care workers on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The visit was hosted by the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia, and included discussions on strengthening WHO’s presence in the country through leveraging strategic partnerships with the European Union and other partners. COVID-19 was also on the agenda, along with its effect on health systems, which signified the need for a stronger focus on achieving universal health coverage by 2030.
Commenting on the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on health systems, Dr Kluge said, “Georgia has launched a strong response to COVID-19 but the pandemic has highlighted the need to accelerate progress to ensure that no one is left behind. Robust health systems, primary health care (PHC) and accessible public health services are the best way we can deliver universal health coverage across the country. These strategies will build resilience against future health emergencies and help get essential services to people in need”.
Health on the agenda at high-level meetings
The Government’s commitment to achieving universal health coverage was affirmed at the highest levels in meetings with the President, the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Health and the Chairperson of the Parliament. The Regional Director acknowledged the progress and highlighted the need to take further steps to improve financial protection by reducing out-of-pocket expenses for health care and improving access to high-quality and affordable medicines.
The Regional Director also referred to the launch of the Oslo Medicines Initiative as a milestone on the road to making medicines available and affordable by defining a new vision – informed by solidarity, transparency and sustainability – for collaboration between the public and private sectors to improve access to effective, novel, high-priced medicines in the WHO European Region. Other items high on the agenda included collaboration on addressing cancer, hypertension and mental health. Dr Kluge also congratulated Georgia on its leadership in efforts to eliminate hepatitis C and progress in tobacco control.
WHO stands ready to actively support Georgia in all the priority areas, with the main aim of minimizing disruptions in the sector and ensuring the population’s access to essential medical and public health services and financial protection. This includes implementing a new PHC package of services and a new Law on Medicinal Products for Georgia; improving control of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and risk factors, key drivers of mortality in Georgia (93% of mortality is attributable to NCDs).
Meeting health workers
During a visit to a rural PHC centre, Dr Kluge once again expressed his appreciation for health care workers, recognizing the heroic work of Georgia’s frontline health care workers and calling family doctors “the friends of the people”. The Regional Director discussed the impact of COVID-19 on the local population, especially the need to address increased levels of anxiety caused by the pandemic.
Local doctors stressed the need for additional training in managing the mounting mental health needs of their population and the importance of clear and consistent communication in mitigating fear and anxiety.
COVID-19 response
The Regional Director made several site visits to COVID-19 response facilities, including the National Centers for Disease Control and Public Health, 112 hotline headquarters, an “online clinic”, a COVID hotel and a COVID hospital. Dr Kluge recognized Georgia’s innovative approaches to the COVID-19 pandemic, citing the novel use of COVID hotels and online clinics to manage mild and post-discharge COVID-19 cases. He also emphasized the need for a balanced approach and paying attention to the needs of the health workforce.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, recent WHO support has been directed towards building capacity in clinical management and lab diagnostics, procurement of lab equipment, test kits, personal protective equipment, development of guidelines and training PHC providers in COVID management and mental health issues related to COVID. Dr Kluge expressed WHO’s commitment to providing technical support for vaccine delivery and development of the national vaccine deployment strategy, and emphasized the importance of establishing safety monitoring systems as well as the regulatory and liability aspects.
European Programme of Work
The country visit was also an opportunity to discuss the European Programme of Work, 2020–2025 – “United Action for Better Health in Europe” (EPW), which sets out a vision of how the WHO Regional Office for Europe can support health authorities in Member States to improve health and well-being.
Linked to the EPW, digital health has both created new opportunities during the pandemic to reach remote citizens and reduced the need for travel to appointments, but it has also exposed the inequity in access to the internet and digital tools as well as gaps in guidelines, health information systems, training and legislation. The Government expressed its commitment to accelerating digital health development in the country through investments in infrastructure and reforming legislation and service delivery.
The EPW reflects WHO/Europe’s determination to leave no one behind and to strengthen the leadership of health authorities in the Region.
