Imereti. NGO "Alliance for Tobacco Control in Georgia" held the informative meeting on January 16 in the Kutaisi Civic Engagement Center. Meeting participants have discussed the issues of enforcement of the Law on the Tobacco Control, what does secondhand smoking mean, how should the persons be protected from secondhand smoke, as well as the issues of enforcement of the law concerning the prohibition of smoking in public places and transport. "We have increasing statistics – use of tobacco among young girls in Georgia over last 7 years has increased by approximately 2.5 times. Approximately every fourth person dies of the tobacco-caused diseases. Today 40% of the Georgian population use tobacco. We worked for a long period of time in this respect, developed the legislative base, but have witnessed serious obstacles in terms of enforcing this law. In this case, the tobacco industry significantly prevents the enforcement of the law. State authorities are obligated to administer the ban on smoking the tobacco. We demand that not only the police but other organizations also control the rules of tobacco use. We also demand to fully ban tobacco advertising," - said the head of the organization "Alliance for Tobacco Control in Georgia" Giorgi Bakhturidze. The schoolchildren, students and NGO sector representatives have participated in the meeting that rolled out in an interactive regime.

Samegrelo. Zugdidi-based NGO "Tanaziari” has presented the "Human Safety Project” on December 20. The project is funded by the Japanese Government.Acting Japanese Ambassador to Georgia, Hiroki Tokunaga has visited Zugdidi for presenting the project. "Seven types of medical equipment were presented to the Zugdidi Medical Center. I am glad that the local population will be able to use the quality medical services. As part of the first project, we have assisted to renovate the exhibition hall of the Dadianebi Palace”, - Hiroki Tokunaga said.Head of the organization "Tanaziari” Khatuna Bechvaia has thanked the Japanese Embassy. According to her, as part of the project, throughout 1 year the persons with disabilities and families with many children will benefit from the Medical Center services free of charge.

Kakheti. CSO Bemoni carries out the study together with  UNICEF (UN children Fund) aimed at examining the practice of HIV testing among the adolescents and youngsters. As part of the study, the opinions, views and experience of the youth will be studied in relation to the HIV testing. The questionnaire is anonymous. Interested persons can participate in the study from their PCs. There are no risks associated with participation. Users can stop filling in the questionnaire any time. Davit Ghonghadze, the Head of the Telavi Office of "Bemoni": "Obtained answers will assist us in better understanding of problems related to HIV testing of adolescents and youngsters, as well as developing recommendations focused on improvement of HIV testing services for the adolescents and youngsters."

Tbilisi. As part of the events dedicated to the World Aids Day, the marathon "We Choose Healthy Lifestyle" will be held on December 1 in Tbilisi. The schoolchildren of IX-XII grades and of 14-18 years of age, college students and the prominent public faces will participate in the marathon. The marathon will take off at the Merab Berdzenishvili International Cultural Center and will end in the Vake Park territory. Registration of the marathon participants will start at 11 am on December 1, in the yard of the international cultural center "Muse", and the five marathon winners will be awarded with valuable gifts. This event is organized as part of the USAID-funded HIV Prevention in Georgia project. For full text. Source: geoyouth.ge

Kakheti. On November 8, the Telavi Civic Engagement Center has hosted the fourth meeting of the Anti-Drug Media Club in the Kakheti Region.The Media Club aims to approximate the vision of specialists and journalists working in this direction in various fields (medical workers, lawyers, NGO representatives), in order to cover these problems more adequately, accurately and in a qualified manner and inform the public thereof.DatoGhonghadze, Head of the Telavi office of organization "Bemoni":"At today's meeting the anti-drug policies were discussed in light of the fact that the changed political situation in the country gives hopes for more improved law. This means taking into account and bringing in compliance the interests of general public on one hand and on the other hand of part of the public, which were affected by the drug abuse problem. The Head of CSO "Bemoni" Tamar Sirbiladze and the speaker of the Tbilisi Anti-Drug Media Club Nino Burchuladze have presented the topic at the meeting, which ended with a discussion on this topic."

Kakheti. On October24-27, at its own initiative, the "Open Society - Georgia" Foundation has organized a training for journalists in human rights and healthcare issues. Up to 20 journalists from various media outlets have participated in the training. For full text. Source: Page of "Open Society - Georgia" Foundation in the social network.

Shida Kartli. On October 6, the training in healthcare issues was delivered in the society "Biliki" (path) for the pupils of partner schools of the Civic Education and Teachers' Training Program (USAID/PH International). At the training focus was made on the right of a child to healthcare, as well as topics such as the right of children to be protected from violence, receive information, etc. In addition, the participants learned at the training about national and international standards regulating these issues. Up to 30 members of the civic clubs from the Gori and Khashuri Districts have attended the training. Meetings on similar issues will continue in the future also. For full text (Geo) Source: the organization's page in the social network.

Adjara. On September 25, the coalition "Human Rights Protection in Healthcare" has met with the Georgian Bar members in the Batumi Civic Engagement Center. The coalition was built on the base of 8 NGOs and its main objective is to regulate the disputes between patients and physicians through mediation. The idea to create the network of advocates was proposed at the meeting. These advocates will specialize in a specific area, and in particular they will consult and advocate mainly persons having problems in the field of healthcare. These advocates will be trained in mediation. The project – "Human Rights Protection in Healthcare through Mediation" is implemented with the financial support of the "Open Society - Georgia" Foundation.

Guria. A training was held on September 9-13 in Lanchkhuti for the emergency doctors of Aspindza, Chokhatauri and Lanchkhuti. The training was organized as part of the project – "Joint work - readiness of communities for the crisis situations and assistance of public-rescue services", which is funded by the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and implemented by "Civitas Georgica" together with the Polish organization "Polish Center for International Assistance". The training was delivered by the Polish experts from the Polish Center for Catastrophes. The training aims to teach the doctors how to use the equipment that Poland has given to the municipalities as a gift. All three municipalities have received different equipment – defibrillators, laryngoscopes and special stretchers. They will be installed on the municipal ambulances.

Tbilisi. Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS and the information-medical center "Tanadgoma" have organized the workshop on September7 on "HIV infection, stigma and discrimination associated with it and the new prevention needs with respect to homosexual males". Results of the study and recommendations on stigma and discrimination carried out as part of the project were presented at the meeting, and the creation of the working group that will draft the guide was agreed as well. After the speeches and presentations the discussion was held on the progress of implementation of strategic plan and possible prospects of the 2014-2016 cycle. For full text Source: tanadgomaweb.ge

Imereti. The International Overdose Awareness Day was celebrated on August 31. Center "Rubicon" promoting the realization of health rights has delivered practical seminar for the group of citizens in "What is overdosing and how to assist the overdosed before the doctor's treatment". At the meeting the head of "Rubicon" Rati Asatiani spoke also about cases and registration of mortalities caused by overdosing. According to the center "Rubicon" promoting the realization of health rights, similar meetings will be held in the future also.

Samtskhe-Javakheti. On August 17, the Akhaltsikhe Youth Center announced the contest for the students of the Akhaltsikhe Municipality schools on the topic of HIV-AIDS prevention. The contest will be organized as part of the "Joint Advocacy for HIV Prevention in the Akhaltsikhe Municipality” project and the 8-12 grade students of Akhaltsikhe schools may participate in it. The participants will submit the contest works – essays, paintings or videos until 14th of September. The work must highlight the problem of HIV-AIDS and the effective ways of its solution. Three winners of the contest will be awarded with valuable gifts. The contest aims at activating the student-youth and raising their awareness.

Guria. Students of the leadership school of the "Young Pedagogues' Union" have filmed the documentary "I would like to be my own doctor". The film is about the life of a 5-year-old boy living with the aunt's family. At the moment of filming the family faced several problems. Namely, their state allowance was cancelled, the child required urgent operation and the child needed the formal status of a person with disability. In addition, the family had difficulties in becoming the part of the Relatives' foster care program. Students of the leadership school are advocating for the family's problems. At this point the family has received the rating scores and the policy of socially unprotected family that covers the costs of operation. As for the inclusion in the foster care program, the boy's aunt has re-addressed the Ozurgeti Social Service Agency and now awaits its decision.

Mtskheta-Mtianeti. 2-day seminar/training will be held on 3-5 August 2012 in Kazbegi, "Rooms Kazbegi" Hotel for the employees of the Legal Entity of Public Law Healthcare Mediation Service of the Ministry of Labor, Health and Social Welfare of Georgia concerning the healthcare mediation as an alternative source of dispute resolution. The seminar/training is organized as part of the "Protection of Human Rights by Promoting the Development of Healthcare Mediation" project funded by the "Open Society Foundations", which is implemented by the coalition "Human Rights in Healthcare Protection". The advantages and prospects of alternative sources of dispute resolution in healthcare and the procedure for examining and reacting to the citizens' complaints will be discussed at the training. Moot processes of healthcare mediation and case studies will take place during the seminar. The training aims to promote the introduction of healthcare mediation, discuss case studies at the moot processes and to highlight the advantages of the mediation process. Source:osgf.ge

Tbilisi. From January to July 2010 the Curatio International Foundation, together with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and other partners, has conducted the study aimed at examining the impact of HIV/AIDS programs of the Global Fund on the role of the civil society organizations in Georgia, Kirgizstan and Ukraine. During the research process half-structured in-depth interviews were held in all three countries. 49 representatives of CSOs and 22 decision-maker persons were interviewed within the study framework. According to the official web page of the Foundation, the study results have illustrated that the support of the Global Fund has made the impact of CSOs on the HIV/AIDS and drug related policies more effective. Yet, the respondents have noted also that funding allocated by the Global Fund for advocacy purposes was insufficient and indirect; in addition, funding was often terminated. The study was made possible with the support of the Open Society Foundations. Source: www.curatiofoundation.org For full text 

Tbilisi. The World Hepatitis Day was celebrated on July 28 in Georgia under the slogan "Treat Me As Well". The events in various cities of Georgia were organized by the Harm Reduction Network with the support of "Open Society - Georgia" Foundation, "Doctors of the World - France" and the EU. Over 200,000 persons live in Georgia with C Hepatitis. Treatment of this disease costs over 20,000 GEL and the majority of patients cannot afford paying this amount. Many of them were infected more than a decade ago and their treatment today is an immediate necessity. The organizers have gathered in Tbilisi in front of the Parliament building, demanding the access to treatment. A symbolic run with hurdles was organized with participation of patients and other activists. At the finish the participants signed the treatment waiting list. The hurdles symbolized the increased treatment costs, while jumping over the hurdle - a symbolic payment of costs and the increased access. Source: osgf.ge

Tbilisi. On July 27, "Transparency International - Georgia" has released the third report on the state of the Georgian health care sector. The project focuses on the pharmaceutical, insurance and hospital sectors. The report analyzes the state health insurance programs, as well as the existing environment in the Georgian health insurance sector. The report states that the key findings of research are based on an in-depth analysis of the insurance market developments in 2008-2012; in-depth interviews, structured interviews and large correspondence with all actors involved in this process, as well as the insurance sociological study, which was carried out in April-May 2012. The study included 252 beneficiaries of the state insurance program and 100 beneficiaries of corporate and individual insurance program, and in addition the control group consisting of 350 non-insured respondents. Further, the report includes recommendations for the Government of Georgia, the National Bank and the insurers. The project is implemented with the support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands. Study - http://transparency.ge/post/report/tig-janmrtelobis-dazghvevis-sektoris-kvlevas-aqveynebs

Tbilisi. The civil society organization "Georgian Harm Reduction Network" plans to hold number of events in Tbilisi, Gori, Zugdidi and Batumi on July 28 in celebration of the World Hepatitis Day. At 12:00 p.m. on July 28, all four cities will simultaneously host press conferences and the round tables, at which the obstacles to the treatment will be discussed and the treatment plan and the waiting list will be presented. Patient groups, field professionals, and the state and public sector representatives will participate in the event. At the end of the day, at 5 p.m. the rally will be held in the adjacent territory to the parliament called: symbolic run with barriers. The activities are organized with the support of the "Open Society - Georgia" Foundation, "Doctors of the World - France", and the EU. Link to the detailed information on events planned in Tbilisi and regions - http://www.osgf.ge/index.php?lang_id=GEO&sec_id=28&info_id=2930 Source:www.osgf.ge

Adjara. On July 21, the Batumi Civic Engagement Center and the Autism Society of Georgia have jointly organized a public meeting on the topic: "Autists: Strategies and Approaches”. Representatives of the civil society organizations and media were invited to the meeting. The pilot study has revealed the statistics of autism spectrum disorders in Georgia: one out of every 110 children is affected with autism. Approximately 500 children having an autism problem are identified in Georgia annually. The Autism Society of Georgia will try to facilitate the unification of parents of persons affected with autism spectrum disorders and the professionals, search for existing resources as domestically as well as in the region and worldwide, establishment of contacts with other experienced civil society organizations and the formation of services for persons affected with autism spectrum disorders.

Kakheti. At the initiative of the civil society organization "Blood Bank", the building of the Javrishvili clinic "Optalmiji" has hosted the event titled "Donate blood and save the children's lives" on July 13 in the Gurjaani Municipality. Members of the society attending the event have gratuitously donated blood to save the children's lives.

Kakheti. The 5-day "Peer Education Training" organized by the CSO "Tanadgoma" was rounded off on July 13 in the Telavi Civic Engagement Center. The training aimed at introducing the healthy lifestyle among the youth and informing the attendees about prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. Up to 50 students have participated in the training. According to the training coordinator, the key objective of the training is to have the youth spread among peers the provided information, so that the spread of various diseases is avoided. Maia Jibuti, Project Coordinator, psychologist: "The "Peer Education Training", in which the active distinguished individuals with leader's skills have participated, aimed to prepare the trainers. In addition, the debates concerned gender equality as well and all of this was well fit to the issues of reproductive health and rights."