Tbilisi. Public Defender Addresses Imedi L Insurance Company with recommendation to eliminate discrimination on grounds of age. “The Public Defender addressed Imedi L insurance company with a recommendation to eliminate discrimination on the grounds of age. The decision was based on the application of a Georgian citizen who purchased travel insurance from the insurance company. The applicant received emergency medical care while abroad, however, the insurance company refused to cover the costs on the grounds that the applicant was 70 years old”. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. Today, Ambassador Degnan and the Embassy team donated blood to help save the lives in Ukraine. “Because of the high number of volunteers the blood bank couldn't accommodate everyone so we are working on arranging for another blood drive very soon”. Read more… Source: The Embassy’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. On February 26-27, UNICEF and Caritas Czech Republic in Georgia organized training for pediatricians, at which Professor Ivane Chkhaidze briefed pediatricians on diagnosis, management, and prevention of COVID-19, as well as updated treatment protocols. The project is supported by USAID Georgia. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. In 2021, with the support of UNICEF, Caritas Czech Republic in Georgia conducted online trainings for rural doctors in 10 regions. Rural doctors trained under the project will remotely support mothers and children and provide appropriate medical service. UNICEF continues its cooperation with Caritas of the Czech Republic this year as part of a joint project aimed at improving the continuity and quality of maternal and child health services at the primary health care level. Appropriate medical protocols will also be introduced and improved. The project is supported by USAID Georgia. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Samtskhe-Javakheti. On February 22 the information campaign on vaccination against COVID-19 organized by UNICEF and implemented by AIVA • Association of Immunization and Vaccinology visited Akhaltsikhe. “Young doctors and medical students provided information about vaccination to local young people. UNICEF Representative in Georgia, Ghassan Khalil attended the event. The project, motto of which is "You can end this pandemic!" Is supported by USAID Georgia”. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. UNICEF Georgia publishes the article: What we know about the Omicron variant. “New variants like Omicron are a reminder that the COVID-19 pandemic is far from over. It is therefore essential that people get the vaccine when available to them and continue to follow existing advice on preventing the spread of the virus, including physical distancing, wearing masks, regular handwashing and keeping indoor areas well ventilated”. Read more… Source: www.unicef.org

Adjara. Young doctors and medical students provided information about vaccination to young people living in Chakvi, Batumi, Keda and Khulo. The project, motto of which is "You can end this pandemic!" Is supported by USAID Georgia. Read more… Source: the organization’s page on the social network

Adjara. On February 14, presentation of the project during which volunteers will hold meetings and discussions to raise awareness of hygiene practices as well as to prevent and control infections was held in Batumi. 150 adolescent volunteers unite in 63 municipalities of Georgia to promote safe hygiene and infection prevention measures among their peers. Read more… The project is organized by UNICEF, with the support of USAID and in partnership with the NGO "Helping Hand". Source: wcmsprod.unicef.org

Tbilisi. In order to promote awareness and vaccination, 130 training sessions were held in 8 regions of Georgia (Tbilisi, Kvemo Kartli, Shida Kartli, Imereti, Samegrelo, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Adjara, Kakheti), which were attended by more than 1600 listeners. “Nurses, hospital attendants and non-medical staff of clinics have a key role in combating the COVID-19 pandemic. During the training sessions, the vaccination experts provided detailed information to the clinic staff about COVID-19, vaccines, and the safety of vaccination”. Read more... Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Adjara. UNICEF Representative in Georgia, Ghassan Khalil talks about the importance of routine immunization. „The national calendar of vaccination should be respected so we ensure immunization for every child”. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. The Public Defender’s Office has prepared a study assessing the impact of the novel coronavirus pandemic on the rights situation of women working in the health sector, both in their workplace and social life. To address the above needs, a small-scale survey was conducted and 90 women employed in the health sector were interviewed by telephone. Both nurses and doctors were among the respondents. Read more… Source: www.ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. At the request of PHR, when providing services to deaf and hard of hearing people, the doctor is obliged to use a transparent face mask. “The Ministry took our request into account and added a sub-paragraph to the decree on the rule of wearing a face mask. As a result, from now on, the educational and medical services provider must use a transparent face mask or face shield for the deaf and hard of hearing persons”. Read more… Source: www.phr.ge

Tbilisi. On the night of January 30, 2022, 9 people were injured in an explosion in the Mindeli mine. One of them died after being taken to hospital. The Public Defender expresses her deep sorrow over the incident, offers her condolences to the family of the deceased and wishes the injured a speedy recovery.  “The Public Defender calls on the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Labour Inspectorate to respond to the incident in a timely and effective manner, including by identifying the causes of the tragedy, in order to avoid similar cases in the future. The Public Defender also calls on the Labour Inspectorate to identify all the violations and risks within the framework of the current inspection and to use all legal levers to remedy them”. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. According to the information of Georgia Young Lawyers’ Association, the patient, whose interests were represented by the GYLA Gori office in court, won a lawsuit against the Giorgi Abramashvili Military Hospital. The court ordered the medical facility to reimburse the costs of medical care and moral damages in favor of the patient. Read more… Source: gyla.ge

Abkhazia-Tskhinvali. Rondeli Foundation publishes the article: Fight Against COVID-19: Russia’s Assistance to Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region. “In Abkhazia, the first case of COVID-19 infection was reported on April 7, 2020. The next day, Abkhazia closed its “border” with Russia, however, the epidemiological situation soon worsened. On May 6, about a month later, the first case of COVID-19 infection was reported in the Tskhinvali region, although most educational institutions in the region had been closed since March 20, and the “borders” with Georgia and Russia were also closed on April 5. Due to the aggravated epidemiological situation and scarce medical resources, the de facto governments of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region appealed to the Russian Ministry of Defense for help”. Read more… Source: kremlin-roadmap.gfsis.org

Adjara. On January 28, with the support of the Ministry of Health of Adjara, a workshop was held in Batumi, the main topics of which were routine immunization and high levels of lead in the blood of children. „The Multi-Indicator Cluster Survey of 2018 revealed high levels of lead in the blood of children in Georgia. The results of the study were followed by the development of a state program for the prevention of lead poisoning. During the workshop, the effectiveness of the program was evaluated and the next steps were planned for 2022. It is essential that the government takes significant steps to prevent lead poisoning“. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. The analytical document describes challenges and barriers in healthcare system that are experienced by women living in Marneuli municipality and highland Adjara. "You might feel pain but you do not pay attention because it costs a lot to see a doctor. We do not have a context where you go there in advance even if you have money. It is true that you have to take care of yourself first, but when you see a family behind you, [which] does not have enough resources ... you do not allow yourself to go and do medical examination on yourself unless it troubles you". (Respondent from Adjara) "The state generally does not invest resources in preventive care, it is so expensive that it remains inaccessible to the population ... State funding is [mainly] reserved for the most severe health problems". (Respondent from Marneuli municipality) "I can not afford [to buy medicine] because I have financial problems. Sometimes I am not able to buy my medicine on time, sometimes I can only buy half of it". (Respondent from Marneuli municipality) Read more… Source: socialjustice.org.ge

Tbilisi. Public Defender of Georgia publishes the conclusion N5 of group of specialists/experts set up by herself for Monitoring Mikheil Saakashvili’s Medical Condition. “For the treatment and full rehabilitation of the patient, the group of experts considers it necessary to provide: Psychotherapy - which is a first-line treatment of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, and is likely to help restore an adequate diet; Physical rehabilitation; MRT examination, recommended as additional examination; Neurological monitoring and electroneuromyographic examination in case of progression”. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. At the request of PHR, when providing services to deaf and hard of hearing people, the doctor is obliged to use a transparent face mask. “The Ministry took our request into account and added a sub-paragraph to the decree on the rule of wearing a face mask. As a result, from now on, the educational and medical services provider must use a transparent face mask or face shield for the deaf and hard of hearing persons”. Read more… Source: phr.ge

Tbilisi. The Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) calls on the Ministry of Health of Georgia to take into account high public interest and ensure publicity of statistical data on people who have died from COVID-19 in accordance with the characteristic provided in the article. Besides, explain reasons for mutually exclusive data related to the period from infection to death and days in clinic provided to IDFI. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Adjara. According to information released by the Social Justice Center, in high mountainous Adjara, like in other regions, there was heavy snowfall during recent days and part of villages has been left without power supply for 2-3 days, roads are closed too. “Severe winter is typical for high mountainous Adjara and upper villages often appear isolated due to poor infrastructure. Regardless these weather conditions, high mountainous Adjara is not served by a dedicated ambulance, which would provide prompt emergency medical service to citizens in case of necessity”. The organization has been demanding the state repeatedly to create an appropriate medical infrastructure for high mountainous Adjara in order to provide emergency medical care to citizens. Read more… Source: The website of the organization on a social network Photo: Shorena Shavadze

Tbilisi. According to information released by the Social Justice Center, the authority granted to the Government to impose restrictions for coronavirus prevention is extended until 2023. “Resolving such fundamental issues related to human rights is the constitutional authority of the Parliament of Georgia. While the “Law on Public Health” envisages transfer of this authority entirely to the Government, which is equivalent to refusal of the Parliament to perform its legislative function and legalization of a de facto state of emergency in the country”. The organization considers that the Parliament should not limit itself to the automatic extension of the deadline for delegation of authority to the Government and should thoroughly arrange the scope of authority of the Government in the pandemic management process. Read more… Source: socialjustice.org.ge Photo: parliament.ge