Georgia’s Health Minister, Mikheil Sarjveladze, delivered a speech during the general debate held as part of the 79th session of the World Health Assembly, highlighting the healthcare reforms implemented in Georgia over the past decade.
Speaking at the assembly, the Minister said that following the introduction of Georgia’s universal healthcare program, more than 95 percent of the country’s population now has access to state-funded healthcare services.
Sarjveladze noted that reforms aimed at improving accessibility, quality, and financial protection have significantly strengthened Georgia’s healthcare system.
“Over the course of the past decade, we have continued to strengthen our healthcare system through reforms aimed at improving accessibility, quality, and financial protection for the population. Since the launch of the universal healthcare program, more than 95 percent of the population has access to state-funded healthcare services. Access to essential medical care has been considerably expanded, while out-of-pocket payments by citizens have decreased substantially,” Sarjveladze said.
Minister claimed that pharmaceutical reforms introduced in recent years — including reference pricing mechanisms and managed entry agreements — have significantly improved access to medicines.
He stated that these reforms enabled the government to eliminate annual medication limits for the treatment of oncological and chronic diseases under state programs.
Sarjveladze also spoke about Georgia’s ongoing primary healthcare reform, which he said is focused on prevention, quality care, and patient-centered services.
Minister claimed that the reform includes new funding mechanisms, digital transformation, and the introduction of quality standards and outcomes-based approaches.
Accompanying Sarjveladze at the 79th session of the World Health Assembly are Zaza Lominadze, Head of the Ministry of Health’s Strategic Development and Analytics Department Lela Sulaberidze, and Georgia’s Permanent Representative to the UN Office in Geneva and other international organizations, Aleksandre Maisuradze.
