The development of the healthcare system is one of the main priorities, - the Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Kobakhidze said in his annual report to the Parliament.

According to the Prime Minister, it was under the government of "Georgian Dream" that the universal healthcare program, which covers 95% of the population, was launched.

"Since 2012, the budget of the healthcare sector has increased 4 times. 2012 was 450 million GEL and 2023 was 1.8 billion GEL. In the future, the financing of the health sector will increase even more. A four-fold increase in the share of funding for the health sector shows that caring for people and people's health is a special priority for us.

Out-of-pocket payments by the population have significantly decreased compared to 2012, the amount of out-of-pocket payments in 2012 was more than 73%, which is reduced to about 40% already by 2023.

As you know, the system of groups struggling with the diagnosis, the so-called DRG, which reduced patient co-payments for medical services from an average of 27% to 12%. It was a very important measure that was implemented.

The system of reference prices for medicines had a positive impact on both the reduction of the population's expenses and the balancing of competition in the pharmaceutical field. "At present, the upper limit of the reference price is set for more than 7100 chronic disease management, oncological and different types of medicines," said Irakli Kobakhidze.

According to the head of the government, last year international cooperation was established with Israeli, Spanish and Turkish clinics to strengthen children's oncology services.

"Last year, from August until today, the treatment of 89 beneficiaries of the children's oncology program under the age of 18 in provider clinics abroad was financed.

The funding of childbirth from the state has increased significantly, the co-payment obligation for the patient has been removed.

400 rural outpatient clinics were equipped with furniture and modern medical equipment. 17 rural outpatient clinics were built and equipped, 10 outpatient clinics were rehabilitated; Currently, the construction and rehabilitation of 11 rural outpatient clinics is underway.

The effective implementation of the state tuberculosis management program was followed by a trend of decreasing new cases of tuberculosis; increase the cure rate from 65% to 80%, which is also a very important achievement.

The latest generation systems for continuous blood glucose monitoring have become available for people under the age of 18 with diabetes. We bought equipment for 1,155 children. The geographical reach of the program has also increased. We are working to further expand the program.

The geographical reach of dialysis services has been expanded.

Ambulances, as there was a great demand for them, were added to the municipalities of Khulo, Ozurgeti, Lentekhi, Mestia and Kazbegi, and for the transportation of pediatric patients - to Tbilisi. By the end of the year, 15 units of new, Euro-standard reanimated vehicles will be delivered to Batumi, Tbilisi, Gurjaani, Abasha, Tsnori and Tkibuli.

Last year, 25 new all-terrain vehicles and 18 emergency vehicles were added to the center's fleet; 105 more new cars are planned to be added gradually this year", said Irakli Kobakhidze.

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