The National Center for Disease Control and Public Health reported that Georgia has launched a large-scale nationwide medical screening program to improve early disease detection and expand access to preventive healthcare. The initiative, described by the agency’s Director General Irakli Purtseladze as unprecedented in scope, began on March 16 and will run through November 15 across multiple regions of the country.
“This is an extremely important project for our population. A program of this scale, with such technological capabilities, is being implemented for the first time,” Purtseladze said.
Early detection and prevention
The program targets individuals without symptoms, emphasizing early diagnosis as a cornerstone of effective healthcare. Health officials say that early detection significantly improves treatment outcomes, particularly in cancer care.
Screenings include tests for infectious diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV, as well as examinations for breast and cervical cancer and other non-communicable diseases. All services are provided free of charge and are conducted on-site by qualified medical personnel using modern diagnostic methods.
Health authorities emphasize that early-stage detection can increase treatment success rates to as high as 95% for breast cancer and nearly 100% for cervical cancer.
Expanding access
Beyond medical outcomes, the initiative’s goal is to address disparities in healthcare access by bringing services directly to regional populations. By expanding geographic coverage, the program seeks to ensure that individuals outside major urban centers can benefit from timely diagnostics and preventive care.
Officials also emphasize the program’s role in raising public awareness about health risks and encouraging routine medical check-ups.
State-funded diagnosis and treatment
Patients diagnosed through the screening program will receive follow-up diagnostics and treatment financed under various state healthcare programs. National initiatives covering cancer detection and management, as well as infectious disease control, ensure that individuals have access to both testing and necessary medical interventions.
