Access to Free Hepatitis C, HIV and Tuberculosis Tests to Expand in Georgia

The Ministry of IDPs, Labor, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia has launched an initiative, envisaging the expansion of the access to the free Hepatitis C, HIV and Tuberculosis tests program in different regions of Georgia. The Ministry reports that Ajara, Kakheti, Imereti, Guria, Racha-Lechkhum-Kvemo Svaneti and Mtskheta-Mtianeti have joined the project, focusing on the importance of elimination and eradication of the abovementioned diseases for the current government. In case of detection of Hepatitis C, HIV and Tuberculosis, additional examination and treatment is also offered by the government of the country.

Salome Zurabishvili, President of Georgia also joined the state program, and within its scope took the free medical test on July 25 in Gurjaani, Kakheti.

Zurabishvili stated that a number of patients have already been successfully treated and liberated from the diseases, and called on the public to benefit from the introduced program by taking free tests. She also noted that Georgia should become exemplary in this respect.

The Hepatitis C Elimination Program was launched in Georgia in partnership with the American company Gilead in 2015 with the major goal to eradicate the problem of Hepatitis C virus across Georgia by 2020.

Nearly 125,000 individuals have already benefited from the program.

By Ketevan Kvaratskheliya

Image source: President’s Press Office