Child Health Care in Georgia.

Abstract

We summarize the pediatric health care system in Georgia. In the 1990s, the socialist health insurance system was abandoned and replaced by a private health insurance system. In general, Georgia has a relatively high number of physicians per capita, and there are 3 times as many physicians per unit of population in Tbilisi than in other region. Furthermore, the country's universities produce far more physicians than needed. Currently, there are approximately 3000 pediatricians. The Georgian National Center of Disease Control provides guidelines for early detection and screening of diseases, immunization, and mother and child health care. Although Georgia has a limited health budget, it has performed major health reforms. It aims at achieving the highest possible standard of care for children with chronic and disabling conditions, however, future development will depend on the access to more advanced diagnostic and therapeutic technologies.