Jandacva.ge
United National Movement and Health Committee member Gigi Tsereteli, assesses the former Foreign Minister of France and current chairman of Global Alliance, Bernard Kouchner’s visit to Tbilisi as a positive development.
“Kouchner himself was a Health Minister of France in the 90’s. Therefore, he is very well informed on the importance of the Universal Healthcare System. Kouchner also knows about the financial implications associated with providing full coverage of the population’s medical services,” Tsereteli said.
“The future will show how much of a clear plan Bernard Kouchner gives the Georgian government and how well the latter will be able to implement it,” Tsereteli added.
“What we have today in terms of population coverage is definitely a step forward, but the healthcare system’s financial and overall reliability need to be addressed,” Tsereteli said.
In Gigi Tsereteli’s view, the Georgian government’s main challenge lies in addressing the economic and financial situation, in order to effectively finance the targeted Universal Healthcare reform.
“Universal health care existed in the country prior to 2003 as well, but it had a nominal status. In reality, it was financed from the Georgian population’s pockets,” Tsereteli told CBW.
“We do not want to see the same thing happen again and that is why we focus much more on ensuring that the program is financially sustainable. We focus on attracting more finances for Universal Healthcare,” Tsereteli said.
In Tsereteli’s word, the program’s existing finances are not enough in order to sustain the targeted goals of Georgia’s Universal Healthcare Program. Bernard Kouchner visited Georgia last week and met with Health Minister David Sergeenko to discuss the country’s healthcare reform.
