The 3rd International Congress on Celiac Disease took place on June 7 in Batumi, organized by the National Association of Celiac Disease of Georgia. This year’s central theme focused on the importance of screening, particularly among children.
Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition where genetically predisposed individuals experience damage to the small intestine and sometimes other organs due to heightened sensitivity to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and similar grains.
Adjara’s Minister of Health and Social Protection, Nino Nijaradze, gave an opening speech at the event and emphasized the region’s proactive approach to early detection. “To prevent acute and chronic complications of celiac disease, we’ve launched a screening program in Adjara for children aged 2 to 18 who fall into risk groups. Strengthening clinical practices and raising public awareness are top priorities for us,” she said.
Nijaradze also mentioned Georgia’s role in international medical collaboration. “I’m proud that Georgia is hosting such a significant international platform. A guest speaker from Italy has joined the congress, the first country to implement nationwide pediatric screening for celiac disease,” she added.
As part of the congress, a panel discussion was held featuring doctors from Tbilisi and Batumi who talked about pediatric screening. Among the attendees were Mari Zanakhidze, the First Deputy Minister and Rusudan Shavishvili, the Head of Adjara’s Public Health Center.
The Public Health Center has announced plans to continue the screening program next year, with over 100 children already diagnosed through the initiative.
