The President of Georgia opened the “Archimedes Clinic” in Lagodekhi. Mikheil Saakashvili spoke with the personnel of the clinic and visited with the first patients. While talking with them the Head of State focused attention on the current reforms going on in the healthcare system. The President inspected the newly built hospital and noted that such hospitals will be built around the entire country. According to him this is very important for every citizen and for development of Georgia in general.

As Mikheil Saakashvili noted, the population of Lagodekhi will no longer have to travel to the capital in order to get medical care.

“The Lagodekhi region is quite small and such a clinic is enough here. The rest of the hospitals are larger than this one. A total of 150 hospitals will be built within the scope of our program. I was in Kyrgyzstan yesterday. They are also very warm, enthusiastic, and talented people. I am sure they will be able to achieve everything as well. That country reminded me of Georgia in 2003. The main things that we are creating in our country right now are world class healthcare and education systems. Nowhere else in Eastern Europe and the Post Soviet space are so many modern hospitals and hotels being built. It is true that constructing new buildings is the easier part. The harder part is the second step, to re-train the personnel. The most important thing is to adapt these people to contemporary demands. Parallel to this, we have to create a world class education system. If we can achieve these two things, we will overcome anything despite the fact that there is still much poverty. These two sectors will turn Georgia into a developed country. In countries like Kyrgyzstan people are impressed by Georgian reforms, which have become our main brand- the most hopeless Post Soviet country has achieved the most success in just a few years as a result of the Rose Revolution. These people are observing not only what’s written on paper, but these new hospitals, our computerized classrooms, new highways, resorts, our new development, and everything else we are doing. In order for this to become an irreversible process we need such education and healthcare systems in all territories of Georgia that are not occupied” – stated the President of Georgia.

The newly opened “Archimedes Clinic” is designed to accommodate 20 full time patients. It is equipped with ultramodern technology, therapy, surgery, pediatrics and gynecology rooms. Ambulatory, stationary, and diagnostic care is available at the clinic. The clinic can provide care for up to 100 patients in 24 hours. It employs up to 80 medical personnel, mostly locals. The medical personnel have taken a retraining course.

Mikheil Saakashvili also met with the local population gathered in the yard of the clinic. The President expressed interest in the problems which have been caused by the natural disasters locally. As the residents of Lagodekhi told the President, the results of the disaster have already been dealt with by efforts of the local authorities. The President also drew attention to the agricultural programs and received information about a new breed of corn from the local residents. According to Mikheil Saakashvili, Lagodekhi will have an important role in the process of developing the Kakheti region.