Dear Lajos and Lika

Many thanks for sharing the initial concept note and estimated cost for EU action. Over the last few days we’ve had intensive consultation with the World bank, EIB and ABD. Hospital related costs related to COVID response (including PPEs and hospital equipment) will be largely covered from these sources. Attached is the updated metrics will all needs including ambulance service and primary care. May I kindly ask to revise the concept note to focus on primary care strengthening needs. Primary care providers play a key role in COVID response in Georgia. We’ve established the online consultation systems. All call directed to emergency service (112) are transferred to family doctors for triage and follow up care. Telecommunication are being increasingly used. The implementation of telemedicine for primary care clinics was discuss here before the Covid19 epidemics, nowadays this concept becomes even more acute. Therefore, it would be a big help if EC support can be directed to (1) procuring basic equipment and furniture for around 300 village ambulatories, recently refurbished/build by the government . An estimated cost for equipment and furniture is USD 7 to 10000.    and (2) procure telemedicine equipment for remote site (around 50 units, approximate cost per each USD 15000). A concept note on rolling out telemedicine technologies is attached. I believe Lika can do  quick translation.

Developing an online training/communication platform for primary care providers is also a top priority.

I will look forward to hearing from you about possibility of supporting these interventions.

With kind regards

პატივისცემით,

თამარ გაბუნია

მინისტრის მოადგილე

Sincerely,

Tamar Gabunia, MD, MPH

Deputy Minister