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Category: Europe & Eurasia

  • Policy Information Platform (PIP) Expert Consultation Meeting

    Policy Information Platform (PIP) expert consultation was held in Istanbul on 29-30 January, 2015. At the meeting methodological issues, roadmap for the PIP implementation and evaluation approaches were discussed.

    CIF director George Gotsadze and Research Unit director Ivdity Chikovani participated in the expert consultation.
    PIP is a repository of peer-reviewed publications and grey literature that should generate knowledge for health policy decision-making. PIP should respond to the priority topics emerging in the policy-making process.

    The project is an initiative of Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research (AHPSR) aiming at alleviating access barriers to policy-relevant information at national level in low-middle income countries. The piloting countries are: Georgia, Argentina, Pakistan and Nigeria.

    In the pilot countries PIP implementing partners are: CIF, Argentina MoH, Pakistan King Edward Medical University and Nigeria Ebonyi State University.

    CIF contributes to the whole PIP initiative by developing methodological approaches for grey literature evaluation.

    The PIP project will be implemented during 2015-2016.

  • Civil Society Forum organized by Country Coordination Mechanism

    On January 29, at Courtyard Marriott Hotel was held a Civil Society Forum organized by Country Coordination Mechanism. The forum was part of country dialogue process regarding HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis issues. During the meeting, civil society representatives shared results of their work and challenges that still exists.

    Curatio International Foundation presented the latest data on HIV prevalence and transmission modes in the Key Affected Populations. Presented data was mainly based on the surveys repeatedly conducted by CIF (Bio-Behavioral Surveillance Survey and Population Size,
    MOT Study) and existing epidemiological situation in the country.

    For more detailed information see the presentation.

  • CIF Publishes the Short Movie on 20 Years of Healthcare, 2014

    Curatio International Foundation celebrates its 20 years anniversary and prepares short movie describing the history of health care reforms in Georgia after collapse of Soviet Union. The story is retailed directly by the people involved in the process and organizations that encouraged the progress: Amiran Gamkrelidze -Minister of Labour, Health and Social Affairsin 2001-2003, Akaki Zoidze- Deputy State Minister in 2001-2003 years, Giorgi Gotsadze – CIF director, Alexander Kvitashvili – Minister of Labour, Health and Social Affairs in 2008-2010, Stephen Heikin- USAID/Caucasus Mission Director, Dandan Chen- World Bank Human Development Program Leader for the South Caucasus
    We appreciate their participation in the movie.

  • CIF Publishes Anniversary Publication '20 Years of Health Care, 2014

    20 Years Anniversary brochure describes reforms that have significantly altered the landscape of health care in Georgia after collapse of the Soviet Union. The contents draw on important publications and oral narratives by those who have been initiators, implementers and witnesses to all major changes in the history of Georgia’s health system over the last two decades.

    Please view the Publication as PDF 

     

    Please also view the Animation about the Publication:

  • Mental Health Care in Georgia, 2014

    [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]In 2014 Curatio International Foundation conducted a study on financial barriers of the mental health system. The study employed qualitative research methods, as well as literature review and secondary data analysis.

    CIF prepared a policy brief document, which presents main barriers existing at the different levels of the system creating access problems to adequate and quality services for the population.

    Read the document >>[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][ultimate_spacer height=”30″][vc_simple_slider ids=”5810″][ultimate_spacer height=”30″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • HIV risk and prevention behavior among Female Sex Workers in two cities of Georgia – Bio-Behavioral Surveillance Survey with Population Size Estimation in Tbilisi and Batumi, 2014

    Curatio International Foundation together with Center for Information and Counseling on Reproductive Health TANADGOMA is implementing the research project which aims to generate reliable information to plan preventive interventions targeting key populations at riks of HIV/AIDS.

    Currently Georgia belongs to the groups of countries with concentrated HIV epidemics. According to the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health 4,131 People living with HIV (PLWH) were officially registered by the end of 2013. The number of newly registered cases is about 500 per year. According to the national HIV surveillance system among newly registered HIV cases heterosexual transmission is the main mode of transmission (49%), followed by injecting drug use (35%) and homosexual intercourse (13%). The findings of the last Bio-BSS conducted in 2012 among female sex workers (FSWs) in Tbilisi and Batumi showed that, HIV prevalence among FSWs is 1.3% in Tbilisi and 0.8% in Batumi. The current study represents a further round of Bio-BSS in Tbilisi and Batumi, with the additional survey of population size estimation, which is important for the planning and implementation of adequate preventive interventions.

    The current study is supported by Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. International experts are invited to participate in the survey design development and results analysis.

    To view full reports please follow the links below:

    1. HIV risk and prevention behaviours among Female Sex Workers in two cities of Georgia, 2014
    2. Population Size Estimation of Female Sex Workers In Tbilisi and Batumi, Georgia 2014

  • Population Size Estimation of Men Who Have Sex with Men in Georgia, 2014

    Curatio International Foundation together with Center for Information and Counseling on Reproductive Health TANADGOMA implemented the survey project which aims to plan preventive interventions targeting high risk group and estimating the population size of Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM).

    According National center for disease control and public health 4,131People living with HIV (PLWH) were officially registered by the end of 2013. The number of newly registered is 490 in 2013 and compare to 2012decreased by 7%.
    Georgia is among low HIV prevalence (0.07%) countries. The HIV epidemic is primarily restricted to the most-at-risk populations (MARP). Among newly registered HIV cases heterosexual transmission mode is the first route 49%; the share of drug use is the second 35% and the third is homosexual route of transmission 13% according to the national HIV surveillance system.The findings of the last Bio-BSS conducted in 2012 among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Tbilisishowed that, HIV prevalence among MSM is 13%.

    Preventive interventions targeting this high risk group are implemented in the country, however for adequate planning and scaling-up of preventive interventions estimation of the MSM size is critical. Due to absence of this information in the country accurate coverage of preventive interventions is challenging as well.

    The current study is supported by Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. International experts are invited to participatein the survey design development and results analysis.

    For more information please view the full report.

  • Georgian Healthcare System Barometer: Experts' Evaluations of Changes Taking Place in the Healthcare

    Curatio International Foundation published results of the survey, representing expert evaluations of processes and changes taking place in the Georgian healthcare field.

    “Georgian Healthcare System Barometer” is based on evaluations of 98 experts and covers 6-month period – May-October, 2013.

    The survey was focused on expected results of the Universal Insurance; possible influence of steps made by the Government on private investments in healthcare; population health; quality of the medical service and medical education; a policy of healthcare financing.

    Curatio International Foundation first published Barometer in April 2013. In the second survey, some assessments have become more optimistic, although issues with increased pessimistic expectations have emerged as well.

    Major findings of the survey:

    • Experts believe that initiatives introduced by the Government in the healthcare sector for the past 6 months have generally been efficient – during this period, the number of skeptics significantly dropped from 52.4% to 33%;
    • This time, more respondents consider that steps made by the Government are efficient but  funding of this sector is evaluated as “less adequate”;
    • Despite the significant increase in State funding, experts’ expectations that healthcare would become more affordable and/or prices would go down, have become more pessimistic in the second wave;
    • In the second wave, optimistic expectations that prices on medications would go down have decreased from 38.8% to 25.5%. This is probably caused by the fact that 47.3% of experts believe that, in terms of pharmaceutical market management and regulation, no  important steps have been made for the past 6 months;
    • According to experts, just as in the first wave, the quality of medical service, as well as medical education system, remain problematic;
    • The majority of experts thinks that the medical personnel training system still does not meet current requirements and 69.8% of experts indicates that effective steps have not been made in this direction for the past 6 months either;
    • It is well known that for the development of the sector, it is necessary to improve the investment climate. The majority of experts are skeptical that the policy pursued for the last 6 months will promote private investments in the insurance industry (70.3%) or in medical facilities (61.6%);
    • Experts believe that the policy conducted in this sector will increase the Government’s role in insurance companies (54.9%) and clinical facilities (76.9%).

    Positive perception of results and tendencies by experts is probably caused by a clear formulation of concrete priorities by the State and communication through programmatic and/or State documents as well as through media. The negative results are probably caused by either an absence of declared priorities by the State of insufficient detalization of them.

    Researchers conclude that clear and transparent formulation of priorities and adequate communication can have a positive influence on the future of the health sector and consequently on the public opinion.

    Experts participating in the survey represent ministries and government bodies, medical facilities, international organizations, professional associations, insurance companies and research groups.

    Curatio International Foundation will conduct such survey every six months in order to observe in dynamics processes taking place in this sector and experts’ attitude towards these changes.

  • Development of a Strategic Plan to Strengthen Health Information System in Georgia

    Development of a Strategic Plan to Strengthen Health Information System in Georgia project was financed by the Health Metrics Network (HMN). The project started in April 2007 and was completed in March 2008.

    The aim of the project was to formulate a sound health information system and development of the strategic plan aligned with HMN standards. The project focused on assisting the Government of Georgia (GoG) in identifying and convening country stakeholders from health, statistics, and development agencies; assessing the current health information system using the HMN Toolkit; and composing a comprehensive, prioritized, and budgeted Health Information System Strategic Plan.

  • Establishment of evidence base for national HIV/AIDS program by strengthening of HIV/AIDS surveillance system in the country

    The project was funded by the Global Fund and implemented by the Curatio International Foundation (CIF) in partnership with Georgian Infectious diseases, AIDS and Clinical Immunology Research Center, Public Union “Bemoni,” and association “Tanadgoma.” The project took place from February, 2008 to December 2010.

    The aim of the project was to reform HIV/AIDS surveillance system in the country. The project encompassed 3 basic components, each of them embracing series of activities.

    In the framework of the first (1) component of the project, Improvement of the routine HIV/AIDS Surveillance system, the HIV/AIDS surveillance system was assessed, which later allowed to develop the HIV/AIDS national surveillance plan. Qualitative and quantitative research methodology, as well as literature review have been applied for exploring international approaches and requirements for the HIV surveillance system, priorities of national policy, and legal environment; assessing information flows, technical capacities and human resources of health care facilities, public health centers, and laboratories/blood stations; and analyzing skills and drawbacks of professional staff in regards to HIV/AIDS surveillance.

    Exhaustive assessment and analysis of HIV/AIDS surveillance system led to the development of the National HIV/AIDS surveillance Plan. The document incorporates clear, comprehensive, and operationally viable information serves as a guideline for policy implementation and as an instrument for advocating and mobilizing adequate financial and technical resources. It increases understanding of key concepts and models of the HIV/AIDS surveillance system and suggests ways for effective labor division among various participants and responsible parties. The National HIV/AIDS Surveillance Plan provides an opportunity to better understand financial implications of strategy alternatives and choices to recognize financial requirements and effectively mobilize resources to support sustainability of the HIV/AIDS Surveillance System.

    Collaboration of the National HIV/AIDS Routine Surveillance Guidelines was the step following the elaboration of National HIV/AIDS Surveillance Plan, clarifying standard operational procedures for routine surveillance related to and without voluntary consulting and testing (VCT), consultation before and after blood capture, and transportation rules for HIV testing. HIV/AIDS Routine surveillance guideline was endorsed by the Decree of the Minister of Labor, Health and Social Affairs #217/o on 23, July 2010.

    Along with endorsing guidelines, the trainings on routine HIV/AIDS surveillance requirements, registration/notification/reporting procedures were delivered to health care specialists throughout the country.

    Based on the National HIV/AIDS Surveillance Plan the electronic data base for HIV/AIDS surveillance system was developed. Electronic surveillance system collects case-based data on every tested individual by epidemiological groups. The data allows and software automatically calculates all routine surveillance indicators and produces different types of analytical reports.
    The second (2) component of the project foresaw elaboration of the sentinel HIV/AIDS Surveillance guidelines including registration, notification, reporting forms and standard operation procedures. Collection of data through sentinel surveillance would make it possible to provide evidence-grounded HIV/AIDS statistics and strengthen HIV/AIDS surveillance in Georgia.

    The third (3) component focused on carrying out behavior surveillance survey with biomarker component among the IDUs, CSWs, Prisoners and MSM and development of standard guidelines for BSS, including standard methodology, standard tools/questioners for data collection, and standard framework for data analysis.

    Newly designed HIV/AIDS surveillance system gathers information from different sources: routine surveillance, sentinel surveillance and BSS.

    Follow the links to view:
    Bio-Behavioral Surveillance Surveys
    National HIV/AIDS Surveillance Plan (Eng.version)
    National HIV/AIDS Surveillance Plan (Geo.version)
    HIV/AIDS Surveillance Assessment Report (Eng.version)
    HIV/AIDS Surveillance Assessment Report (Geo.version)