The President of Georgia visited newly born quadruplets at the women’s medical center “New Life” today. Nona Varshanidze gave birth to 4 babies on July 4 – two girls and two boys as a result of a c-section. The mother and babies – Dimitri, Barbare, Andria and Maia are feeling well. Mikheil Saakashvili personally congratulated the family on their birth and gave them presents. While talking to them, the President focused attention on increased birth rate in the country. Nona Vashadze and her husband Dimitri Koguashvili, live in Batumi. Their older daughter Nini is 12 years old.

“We have a positive balance since the Rose Revolution. Since 2003 the birth rate has increased by 15%, which is very important in order for our nation not to stay young. The country also has a positive migration balance. The population has increased by 5-6 percent in the recent years” – noted Mikheil Saakashvili.

The President of Georgia visited two other newborns at the “New Life” clinic. Mikheil Saakashvili brought presents for Alexandre Kajaia and Sandra Zirqvadze. Little Sandra was named after the First Lady because the family did not have children for 12 years, and during the medical care and pregnancy Sandra Elizabeth Roelofs was taking care of the mother.

“A few days ago Sandra was awarded by the EU for the project that promotes healthy lifestyle. They distinguished only one Georgian project among several big countries of the region, which is a very big support for us” – stated Mikheil Saakashvili.

The initial healthcare assistance project has received the DEVCO 2012 award, and was named best among 37 projects from various countries for having the best information campaign in the region within the scope of the EU neighboring policy. The project envisioned improving the quality of medical services, adopting new medical services, and popularizing a healthy lifestyle. The information campaign was administered through a project initiated by the First Lady of Georgia “Don’t Worry Be Healthy.”