The WHO and the European Union handed over 180 oxygen concentrators, 2 000 pulse oximeters and other medical equipment to the Ministry of IDPs from Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia. The equipment will be used to outfit rural medical facilities to help citizens all over the country have better access to healthcare.
The concentrators and oximeters were symbolically handed over today to the Ministry of IDPs from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia today, by Carl Hartzell, Ambassador of the European Union to Georgia and Silviu Domente, WHO Representative and Head of Country Office in Georgia.

Carl Hartzell, Ambassador of the European Union to Georgia stated, “While handover ceremonies may have become routine, there is nothing routine about people struggling to breathe or not having access to proper healthcare. Together with our partners in the WHO and the Government of Georgia, we continue working to make sure that citizens all over Georgia receive improved access to healthcare and support during the COVID-19 pandemic. Together with the rest of Team Europe, we remain committed to stand by Georgia during this difficult time.”

"We have been living with the coronavirus pandemic for two years now, and WHO thanks the EU for its constant and steady support throughout. Together, we have delivered critical supplies, trained healthcare workers, provided health guidance and tackled misinformation. The challenge ahead of us now is to strengthen the health system - particularly primary health care - so that everyone can access services regardless of where they live." – says Silviu Domente, WHO Representative and Head of Country Office in Georgia.

The supplies were purchased through a large-scale EU-UN action to minimize the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak in the country, by bolstering rural healthcare facilities. At a later stage, the initiative will also provide village ambulatory units with telemedicine equipment to improve access to health care.

The donation is a part of broader assistance from the European Union and WHO, to support Georgia's response to COVID-19. So far, this has included a provision of vital medical equipment, technical expertise and training of health care workers.

In the long-term, the EU and UN support under this project will help build a more resilient primary health care system with telemedicine capacities increasing equitable access to healthcare services accelerating Georgia’s progress towards Universal Health Coverage.

Source: https://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/georgia/110319/node/110319_en

72 high quality laptops, 20 tablets, 200 vaccine carriers with 800 icepacks, 300 medical refrigerators with accessories, 300 thermometers, a specialized vaccine-carrier vehicle – this is just short list of the equipment that EU and WHO are donating to the government of Georgia to support the mass COVID-19 vaccination process to be launched in summer.

Today, Mr. Catalin Gherman, Deputy Head of Cooperation of the EU Delegation to Georgia and Dr. Silviu Domente, WHO Representative and Head of the WHO Country Office in Georgia visited the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health to hand over part of the equipment and discuss further needs in support for a successful vaccination process.

This donation is just part of the assistance provided by EU and WHO to the Government of Georgia. Since the onset of the pandemic, EU and WHO have worked to ensure effective response to the current COVID-19 crisis and strengthen overall preparedness capacities of health sector in Georgia. Now the EU-WHO action to support deployment of COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination in Eastern partnership countries, supports the Government of Georgia with provision of necessary supplies, development of software and mobile applications, training of key personnel involved in vaccinations, monitoring of vaccine efficacy and safety, and development and implementation of a nationwide communication campaign to promote vaccinations and to address vaccines hesitancy.

“Vaccines and their roll-out are crucial to overcome the pandemic. In recent days Georgia has received vaccines from Austria and today the EU is proud to hand over equipment as part of our large scale support to Georgia via WHO to ensure that vaccines are used as effectively as possible for maximum impact. The EU and Team Europe continue to stand by Georgia in the pandemic,” – said Catalin Gherman, Deputy Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Georgia.

“We expect a real mass vaccination to be initiated in Georgia in July, and we hope the provided equipment will be very useful for the vaccination teams all over the country, along with other support provided under the current EU-WHO action,” – said Silviu Domente, WHO Representative and Head of Georgia Office.

This assistance is part of a wider support package provided by the EU and Team Europe consisting of GEL 1.5 billion of new and reallocated assistance to help Georgia deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, including support to vulnerable groups and economic recovery. That is one of the highest levels of EU assistance per capita to any country in the world and demonstrates the EU’s strong solidarity with Georgia at this time of unprecedented crisis.

In addition, the EU and Team Europe – including the European Commission, the European Investment Bank and Member States – are some of the strongest supporters of the COVAX, through which Georgia receives part of its vaccines. The EU and Team Europe have so far announced contributions of more than €870 million to the facility.

Irakli Garibashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia and Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) held a telephone conversation today.

According to the Head of Government of Georgia, active negotiations are progressing with international partners and pharmaceutical companies on the delivery of additional doses of COVID vaccines to the country in the shortest period of time. During the phone conversation, the Prime Minister of Georgia underlined the profound importance of WHO support in the process.

Dignitaries reviewed the situation witnessed globally and in Georgia during the pandemic caused by COVID-19 and assessed the performance of vaccination in the country.

Irakli Garibashvili underlined the profound importance of WHO support in the fight against COVID-19 and expressed his sincere gratitude to Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus for the support demonstrated to the country.

Press Service of the Government Administration

The European Union and the WHO Regional Office for Europe will work together in a major effort to support the deployment of COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination in Georgia. The project funded by the European Union and implemented by WHO will cover all phases - constituting “end-to-end” support - of COVID-19 vaccine deployment and vaccination and will also serve as a major investment to strengthen the routine immunization system.

The project will be implemented by WHO over a three-year period as part of a €40 million European Union-funded initiative to support six countries in the WHO European Region in preparing for, deploying and monitoring rollout of COVID-19 vaccines.

Carl Hartzell, EU Ambassador to Georgia said:

“As part of our joint efforts to stop COVID-19, a proper and efficient vaccination campaign is key. The EU continues to stand by Georgia during the pandemic and is proud today to launch a new initiative with our close partner WHO. This initiative will support the complex vaccination rollout so that vaccines, when they arrive, are efficiently utilized and reach those that need them most.”

Silviu Domente, WHO Representative and Head of the WHO Country Office in Georgia, said:

“Vaccines offer hope and protection to those fighting on the frontlines of this pandemic and to those at highest risk living in fear of its devastating impact. Thanks to this generous support, WHO can strengthen its collaboration with the Government of Georgia to ensure that vaccines can reach those who need them most, as soon and as efficiently as possible.”

The funds will be used initially to support the first phase of preparedness and deployment, with an emphasis on imminent needs in strategic programmatic areas such as planning, equipment/supplies, training of health workers and information campaigns.  

The project builds on the European Union’s and WHO’s ongoing support to countries’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the joint €35 million EU Solidarity for Health Initiative, aimed to support the partner countries in their fight against the virus and address better the needs of the most vulnerable people.

The news prepared in the framework of the EU project "EU NEIGHBOURS east"

Today, the European Union in partnership with the World Health Organisation (WHO) launched a new regional programme worth over €40 million to provide critical assistance to ensure local readiness and preparedness for safe and effective vaccination of the population in each of the six Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine.

By strengthening preparedness and readiness of the countries for vaccinations, this programme will prepare the countries for the effective receipt and administering of vaccines, including those from COVAX and through vaccine sharing mechanisms with EU Member States. The programme includes risk communication and community engagement, support to vaccine supply chain management, vaccination data and safety monitoring, training of health managers and medical staff involved in the vaccination campaign, scheduling of the vaccinations, as well as key logistical support for the delivery and handling of the vaccines and supplies.

Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi, responsible for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, stated, “With this new programme that we launch today in partnership with the WHO, the EU shows that it delivers on its commitment to support our Eastern Partners to fight the health crisis. Acting together now will also allow us to work rapidly on the region's sustainable socio-economic recovery. Today's programme comes in addition to the €1 billion of EU assistance mobilised so far to address the health pandemic and support the longer term socio-economic recovery of the region.”

Background

The programme is part of the Team Europe initiative, and builds on the joint ongoing European Union and WHO Solidarity for Health Initiative in the Eastern Partnership.

This Health Initiative of over €35 million, has already provided substantial medical supplies across the region, including over 11 million items of personal protective equipment, 12,000 lab kits, over 1,500 ventilators, oxygen concentrators and pulse oximeters, and over 20,000 PCR testing kits.

The EU is one of the strongest supporters of COVAX, which remains the best vehicle to ensure fair and equitable access to these vaccines and deliver on international vaccine solidarity. 

Team Europe has contributed more than €850 million for COVAX, including €500 million from the EU budget. This will be a key contribution for COVAX to secure 1.3 billion doses of vaccines for 92 low and middle-income countries by the end of 2021.

To ensure early access to vaccines and building on the experience of the EU's Vaccine Strategy, the European Commission is operating an EU sharing mechanism to facilitate Member States' sharing of doses secured by the EU, including with our Eastern partners. 

The news prepared in the framework of the EU project "EU NEIGHBOURS east"

Easter is a very special occasion for Georgia, when many families come together and share a heartwarming celebration. The community spirit at the heart of Easter includes a sense of responsibility to protect ourselves and others from COVID-19. 

The UN in Georgia commends the people of Georgia for the responsible way they are complying with the protective measures recommended by the Government, guided by the advice of the World Health Organization (WHO). This approach has already reduced the number of cases of infection and saved lives.  We need to continue this trend.

This year we call on every family in Georgia to share the spirit of the celebration, but put the health and the wellbeing of the community first. Please, stay home and avoid gatherings to ensure that you and your loved ones remain healthy in these unheard-of circumstances. 

More than ever, we should make use of modern technology to reconnect with relatives and friends living far and close: physical distancing is not social isolation. Let’s maintain our connections by conducting faith activities in alternative ways.

Adhering to physical distancing rules protect ourselves, our beloved ones and the entire community. It protects in particular the most vulnerable: older people, people living with chronic health conditions and immune suppression.  

Following the Government's recommendations will also protect healthcare workers and public health professionals who have been bravely and tirelessly, day and night, fighting the pandemic since the very first case. We need to stay home to let them stay at work healthy and caring for the sick ones.

The UN in Georgia calls on all living in Georgia to continue play your essential role in fighting COVID-19 thus contributing to the national response by staying at home!

The UN wishes all those in Georgia who celebrate a Happy Easter!

Related information: “Practical considerations and recommendations for religious leaders and faith-based communities in the context of COVID-19,” was published by the World Health Organization to guide religious leaders, faith-based organizations, and faith communities during COVID-19.Link

On the 9th of April 2019, the WHO European High-Level Conference on Non-Communicable Diseases “Meeting non-communicable disease targets to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals in Europe” has started in the “Yildiz” hotel of Ashgabat city.

The heads and representatives of the Ministry of Health Protection and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan, European Regional Office of the World Health Organization, as well as the responsible representatives working in the sphere of healthcare from around 50 countries across the world, including the employees of international organizations, representatives of local and accredited in Turkmenistan mass media participated to the event. 

During the opening ceremony, the Minister of Health Protection and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan gave a speech and read the Congratulatory Message of President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov addressed to the participants of the WHO European High-Level Conference on the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases.      

Then the video address of the Director-General of the World Health Organization Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was shown to the participants of the Conference where he noted valuable contribution of Turkmenistan in the implementation of WHO international initiatives and wished to the participants of the Conference fruitful work.

Then Dr. Piroska Östlin, Acting Regional Director for Europe of the World Health Organization made an address.  Highly appraising the long-term cooperation of the WHO with Turkmenistan, the guest has presented to the Turkmen side a Certificate for Valuable Input of Turkmenistan in Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases.        

During the first day of the session, the representatives of relevant agencies of Turkmenistan, as well as the European Regional Office of WHO gave speeches at the event.  It was noted that the adoption in 2013 of Ashgabat Declaration on the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases in the Context of Health 2020 has become a milestone event for European region.  This Document has affirmed the main regulations and obligations in the area of controlling the NCDs and became a vector in perfecting the healthcare systems, strengthening the monitoring of NCD programmes, including the preventive measures and preparation of plans on the national level.                    

In addition, the participants spoke about the work done up to the current time by the WHO member-states and partners which contributed to the attainment of positive results on the control of NCDs on global level, thus making an input in the process of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and the Agenda 2030.   

As the result of the first day of the Conference, a briefing was organized for the political scientists and the stakeholders.  During the event, the participants received information on the activities realized by the WHO in cooperation with Turkmenistan in the sphere of prevention and control of non-communicable diseases.     

Tomorrow, on the 10 of April 2019, the WHO European High-Level Conference will continue its work. 

Informational meeting under the chairing of Regional Director of the WHO European Regional Bureau Zsuzsanna Jakab was held during the 144th session of the WHO Executive Council in the World Health Organization Headquarter in Geneva on January 20.

Delegations of member states of international organizations as well as the ambassador of foreign states permanently accredited in Geneva took part in the meeting. The participants discussed administration and budget issues as well as the programme of activity of the World Health Organization in coming period.

Speaking at the meeting, the Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Turkmenistan in Geneva introduced the information about the first International Conference on Prevention and Control of non-infectious diseases in Ashgabat on December 3 – 4, 2013, on which plenary session President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov made a speech. Ashgabat Declaration approved by the WHO European Regional Committee in 2014 has been adopted by the outcomes of this representative forum.

In this context, it was informed about the second International High-level Conference, which will be held in Ashgabat on April 9 – 10, 2019 and would be dedicated to the prevention and control of non-infectious diseases. In particular, the programme of the conference (high-level plenary sessions, thematic and interactive work group sessions) and agenda of the forum have been presented to the participants.

In the end, all member countries of the WHO were invited to participate in the forum for the development of coordinated solutions. It was mentioned that diplomatic missions of Turkmenistan in foreign countries would provide necessary support to the delegates.

 The state news agency of Turkmenistan 

On Tuesday, 2 May 2017, at 09:30 am, in the UN House in Tbilisi (9 R. Eristavi Street, Tbilisi), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and World Health Organization (WHO) are organizing a press conference to support the adoption of the Tobacco-Control Law in Georgia.

Representatives of the United Nations will update the media about preliminary findings of the FCTC Investment Case – recent research implemented by the WHO and UNDP to promote implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in Georgia. They will also inform about economic burden of tobacco smoking in Georgia, importance and practical implications of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) for the member states, and key measures of tobacco control.

Speakers:

• Marijan Ivanuša, WHO Representative in Georgia
• Shombi Sharp, UNDP Resident Representative a.i. in Georgia
• Andrew Black, Team Leader of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Secretariat
• Kristina Mauer Stender, Program Manager of the WHO Regional Office for Europe