Georgian Health Minister Mikheil Sarjveladze has stated that in some cases, profit has become more important than patient interests. He cited instances where clinics may refuse to provide services to patients if they consider the tariffs to be unprofitable.
According to the Minister, one of the major flaws in Georgia’s healthcare system was the poorly planned privatization that began as far back as the 1990s.
He noted that as a result, state policy in the medical field has become excessively dependent on the private sector and commercial interests.
“Profit is necessary, but it should not be the primary goal,” Sarjveladze emphasized.
He also compared the situation in Georgia with European countries, noting that in Europe, the state’s share in the hospital sector is usually at least 50%, whereas in Georgia, it fell to 14–15% following privatization.
Sarjveladze stated that developing the healthcare system according to the European model does not mean a complete transfer of the industry to the private sector.
Medicine, the Minister noted, is associated with high moral and legal responsibility; therefore, commercial interests cannot be the defining factor.
He stressed that the state’s main task must remain the protection of patient rights, even if this necessitates increased oversight of medical institutions.
