There’s a very expressive—and slightly biting—American saying: “There is no such thing as a free lunch.” Indeed, the 20th World Congress on Human Reproduction, held in Tbilisi, Sakartvelo, from September 18–21, cost the organizers a great deal of money. But frankly, it was worth every single GEL or dollar spent on that internationally significant event.
For the last eighteen months, Professor Archil G. Khomasuridze, now 83, was head over heels immersed in a truly complicated and extremely responsible preparatory process, which ultimately brought the Congress to unbelievable success. I was lucky enough to be involved myself, serving as a conference moderator, with the working language of the Congress being English.
Representatives from one hundred nations, along with the entire Georgian medical community, filled the vast conference hall of the Sheraton Grand Tbilisi Metechi Palace. The packed house was equipped with state-of-the-art, high-tech electronic devices and amenities. Participants felt—and openly acknowledged—that they were part of a truly international, professionally organized scientific get-together, the academic value of which was clearly mind-boggling.
Minister of Health, Labor and Social Affairs of Georgia, Mikheil Sarjveladze, opened the Congress with a brief but meaningful speech, personally telling me that the event was of enormous importance—not just for Georgia, but for the entire world. How right he was.
If there is anything that could ensure the survival of the Georgian people, it is Reproductology—the only field of medicine with the true potential to secure the reproduction and growth of our nation. In fact, there’s nothing more important than this. If, a hundred years from now, we were to become extinct, then none of what we are trying to achieve today would matter. Understandably, that message is a little scary—but it’s very close to the truth.
Archil Khomasuridze brought to Georgia some of the world’s brightest minds in the field. Among them were Professor Joseph Schenker, founder of the International Academy of Human Reproduction, who presented a highly informative video-pictorial at the opening ceremony, and Professor Andrea Genazzani, the current president of the Academy.
Incidentally, Georgia’s own Archil Khomasuridze, founder, owner, and director of the Prof. Zhordania and Prof. Khomasuridze Institute of Reproductology, is also an incumbent board member of the Academy.
Among hundreds of participants, 82 recognized leaders and pioneers in Reproductology came to Tbilisi to take part in the Congress. 27 of them delivered key presentations at various venues across the event.
Long story short, the city was overwhelmed by an event that has now solidified Sakartvelo’s place in one of the most vital areas of modern medicine.
The Congress was organized and entirely financially supported by the Zhordania Institute, under the leadership of the irreplaceable Professor Archil Khomasuridze, who was energetically and continuously supported by Dr. Lali Pkhaladze, MD, PhD, head of the medical division at the clinic and the designated successor of her world-renowned teacher.
Just one detail—not to mention countless others—the beautifully published 70-page comprehensive program of the Congress speaks volumes about their highly professional collaboration, a tandem that is both well-known and respected across the country.
Now, the Georgian Reproductology community shares one collective wish: to see this golden tandem continue working together for many years to come.
And finally, what stood out so brightly and vibrantly during the Congress was the modern reproductive perspective presented by the GGRC – Georgian-German Reproduction Center, led by its founder and head, Professor Nino Museridze, one of the main financial supporters of the Congress. She and her remarkable team struck a perfect medical chord, creating a genuine sense of hope and stability among participants, both local and international.
Here’s a quote from the front page of her recent brochure:
“What gives me energy? Receiving a short letter from a grateful patient who writes: ‘Every morning when I open my eyes and see my child, I think of you. Thank you for bringing me this happiness.’ Words like these give me all the strength I need to keep going.”
This is the kind of profound emotional and human impact Reproductology has on people’s lives—and the Tbilisi Congress was perhaps the most vivid reflection of that impact to date.
By the way, all of them—yes, all of them—including Lali Pkhaladze, Nino Museridze, and hundreds of others, happen to be pupils of the great Archil Khomasuridze. And how wonderful it is that the maestro’s monumental contribution to their success is so deeply and sincerely appreciated.
Let’s wish them all many more Congresses like this one!
By Nugzar B. Ruhadze
