Dear Colombe

Many thanks for your prompt reply. Having this workshop in February is really important for us to collect early ideas and brainstorm on various policy options. We are working with other partners on making it happen by the end of next week. We would still need to continue this discussions at another workshop possibly in April. Lajos would joins once he is back.

With kind regards

პატივისცემით,

თამარ გაბუნია

მინისტრის პირველი მოადგილე

Sincerely,

Tamar Gabunia, MD, MPH

First Deputy Minister

Dear Tamar,

Thank you for your email and request. We really value the work done in preparing the new health strategy, and in principle we are very open to support such workshop, both with expert help and support for the practicalities. But the dates at end of February are really too short notice for quality support on our side. Realistic timing for our support would be between 16 March – early April. Lajos will then be in Tbilisi.

Lajos shall be in Tbilisi during next week and can help preparing and planning such workshop, or a "follow-up" workshop. We could then better prepare both the content support and the practical aspects.

Would such timeline work for your team?

Best regards

Colombe

Dear All

I hope you’ve had a nice weekend. As you already know the ministry is actively working on developing the new health strategy. The strategy will be organized around 6 health systems building blocks including governance, financing, service delivery (with a focus on PHC strengthening and integration of vertical programs into primary care package), information technologies, human resources and supply chain management. In order to support the planning process and create the opportunity for engagement of various stakeholders in brainstorming and discussing reform options including transitioning from donor to fully state funded TB, HIV, Hep C as well as immunization programs, we’ve been thinking about organizing a two-day workshop outside Tbilisi.  This way it would be easier to keep all key actors around the table for focused discussions.

The ideal time for this workshop is the last week of February e.g. February 28^th and 29^th (Friday and Saturday).

With this e-mail I would like to ask if your respective agencies would be willing and able to support this workshop.

Please kindly note that some important meetings are expected in March: (1)  the ministry will call the UHC board in second week of March. (2) The World Bank will be supporting the workshop on health financing policies and strategic purchasing on March 19^th. The workshop in February will enable us to build some foundations for further discussions on important policy options and decision making.

I would appreciate your early feedback on the above.

With kind regards

პატივისცემით,

თამარ გაბუნია

მინისტრის პირველი მოადგილე

Sincerely,

Tamar Gabunia, MD, MPH

First Deputy Minister