The AYFB: ,, Primary Health Care reform will make the system more cost-effective”.

Giorgi Kapanadze, a Vice-president of the Association of Young Financiers and Businessmen – AYFB, responds to the statement made by Davit Sergeenko, the Minister of Health, Labor and Social Affairs of Georgia. According to his statement, the Ministry of health, Labor and Social Affairs of Georgia plans to reform Primary Health Care in the near future. Giorgi Kapanadze says, that in addition to the medical impact, the reform has to be considered in economic context  as well, which must be  considered in the reform process.    

,,In order to get real economic effect in the process of Primary Health Care reform, it is necessary to  provide  doctors, who are employed within the sector, with decent payment. This should have bilateral economic effect, since, on the one hand, in case if Primary Health Care System is functioning properly, which includes correct diagnosis and proper treatment provided in the place, this will reduce costs of medicines paid by patients , and on the other hand, patients’ reference to the hospital sector will reduce, which in turn will reduce total financial volume of Universal Health Care Program as well.”- stated Giorgi Kapanadze.  

According to Kapanadze, currently family doctor’s payment depends on the number of registered beneficiaries, engaged in the Universal health Care Program. The program allocates monthly 1,93 GEL for each beneficiary, (in case of veterans-2.15GEL). These funds are submitted to the Primary Health Care facilities and it is up to their management to decide the percent paid to family doctor’s. Usually, family doctors get about 10-12% of the amount, which is about 19-20 Tetri and  nurses  get about a half of this amount. This means that, in the circumstances, when 2000 beneficiaries are considered per each family doctor, his/her monthly salary  amounts  about 400 GEL and accordingly nurse’s monthly salary  consists of 200 GEL. AYFB believes, that this salary is really a tiny amount and it is necessary to gradually increase it. Kapanadze reminds to the Government, that this process is not regulated by legislation and it should also be considered in the reform process as well.   

According to the data provided by Young Financiers, core costs of the Universal Health Care Program is spent on financing hospitalization and high-tech medical interventions. Besides, about 2 billion GEL is spent in Georgia in the field of health Care by both, the Government and population, and 40% of money spent by population falls on the costs of medicines, which is quite a high percentage and in the other countries, this figure doesn’t exceed 15%. The change of this tendency in Georgia should be the main economic effect caused by the Primary Health Care reform.     

,,Young Financiers believe, that implementation of the Primary Health Care reform in parallel with Universal Health Care program is a manifestation of Systemic approach and accordingly, the result should be positive. Gaps and problematic aspects which may arise   in the process of reform implementation, needs proper analysis based on the best international experience and it’s adaptation in Georgian reality.”- states Vice president of the organization.   

14.07.2015.