The President of Georgia opened the medical conference “Medea 2012”, in Batumi today.  Georgian doctors working abroad were among the participants of the conference. Mikheil Saakashvili addressed the participants of the conference and spoke about the healthcare sector and reforms implemented in this direction. The Head of State focused attention on the hospitals opened in the various regions of Georgia within the scope of the hospital sector development program. He also noted that 150 hospitals have been built instead of the promised 100.

Healthcare affordability was one of the main topics of the President’s address. Mikheil Saakashvili also spoke about the importance of having insurance and demanded from the insurance companies to pay salaries on time.

The Head of State touched on the issue of medical personnel qualifications and noted that in this regard, the doctors who have created successful practices abroad are very important. Mikheil Saakashvili asked them to contribute to the development of the medical sphere in the country. The President of Georgia also touched on salaries, and raised the question of increasing salaries for the junior medical personnel and nurses.

A forum organized by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Social affairs is two days long, and up to 200 specialists are participating; including up to 70 Georgian doctors working in the USA, Israel, Singapore, and various countries of Europe. “Medea 2012”, aims at integrating the Georgian doctors working abroad in the healthcare system of Georgia, creating high quality and affordable medical services, and attracting investments for this sphere.

The participants visited Batumi and Keda Medical Centers within the scope of the conference. Georgian doctors working abroad shared experience with their colleagues and gave them necessary advice.

Sandra Elizabeth Roelofs, who is one of the organizers and supporters of the project, members of parliament and the healthcare sphere, and insurance industry representatives, attended the event.

The first medical conference “Medea 2011” was held in Washington D.C.