Curatio International Foundation developed the methodological guideline for conducting bio behavioral surveillance surveys. The document presents standarts of undertaking studies and includes sections such as general definition of terms, indicators, analytical tables etc.
The document is available in Georgian.
Since the creation of the Global Fund, the world’s financing instrument in the fight against AIDS, TB and Malaria the role of private foundations has significantly increased in contributing to funding, participation in its governance and to the strategy of the organization.
The Global Fund partners with non-governmental organizations, Foundations and private companies in four major areas: Contributor of Resources, Grant Implementer, Advocacy and Services, and Pro Bono Goods and Services. Curatio International Foundation (CIF) is the key partner listed among large business organizations such as Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services Limited (IL&FS), Anglogold Ashanti, Shell Foundation, Oil Search Limited etc.
In order to assess the role they play in development aid, particularly in the field of health, Friends of the Global Fund Europe organized a conference bringing together European and American foundations to share experiences and perspectives on global health issues and how they could build effective partnerships with the Global Fund. The event took place on December 12, 2012 in Paris, France.
The conference was a golden opportunity for participants to meet with representatives of European and American foundations involved in global health. The event was welcomed and leaded by high level guests such as Executives from world’s leading foundations, large businesses and the government.
The conference agenda focused on three topics:
– What is the contribution of foundations to health and development?
– Can European foundations do more in global health and how?
– How can European foundations build effective partnerships with the Global Fund ?
George Gotsadze, Director of Curatio International Foundation made the presentation on the role of CIF in implementing Global- fund funded programs.
15 years anniversary publication spotlights some of the Curatio International Fondation’s (CIF) achievements in health system reform since 1994, thus shedding some light on the impact of CIF’s contributions, and to address the organization’s future aspirations. Published in December, 2009.
During the last two decades Government of Georgia initiated series of reforms introducing major changes in health financing policy and restructuring the health system to reverse the negative trends observed in equity, affordability and quality of essential health service for significant part of the country population and particularly for the poor.
Addressing problems in equity and financial protection against health care costs through re attainment of universal coverage for essential health care services for the entire population was one of the longstanding and explicitly stated national health policy goals.
Affordability of health care services is one of the most critical issues for Georgia’s health sector. The matter is among top five most important national issues for a large part of the Georgian population. Medical Insurance for the Poor (MIP), a public program initiated in 2007, provides private insurance coverage to one fifth of the Georgian population and is aimed to protect its beneficiaries from financial hardship and impoverishment that may be caused by health care expenditures.
The study implemented by the Curatio International Foundation with the support from the Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research/World Health Organization assesses the impact of Medical Health Insurance (MIP) for the Poor on equity in access to essential health care services and financial protection against health care costs for the poor and general population.
The first phase of the study was published in May 2011. The document briefly describes identified accomplishments and shortcomings of the public private partnership in realization of medical insurance for the poor and discusses emerging policy options and policy recommendations on the future of MIP.
The second part of the study aimed to assess the overall impact of medical insurance for the poor. The resulting document also reviews steps undertaken by the government in the design and implementation of the insurance program: the way the benefit package was designed, institutional and purchasing arrangements. It also describes the role of high level actors in MIP formulation and implementation, their influence, nature of interest and perceived position on possible future MIP expansion.
View full documents:
Policy Brief- Health Insurance for the Poor in Georgia, Content, Process and Actors
Full Study Report- Health Insurance for Poor: Georgia’s Path to Universal Coverage
Curatio International Foundation has completed a study exploring ‘Price, Affordability and Availability of Medicines in Georgia’. The study was divided into three stages and carried out in 2009-2001.
The key aim of the study is to improve affordability and availability of medicines for the population.
Based on a three-year observation of pharmacies and different medicines in Georgia, Curatio International Foundation studied the practice in the pharmaceutical sector and came up with recommendations based on research findings. The recommendations will be presented to the broad audience of the health sector – the Health Care Committee of Parliament, the Ministry of Health, the insurance sector and other interested parties.
The study was conducted using the methodology of the World Health Organization (WHO). The survey looked at prices and mark-ups of 52 medicines (brand-name medicines and their cheap generic equivalents) over the period of three years in licensed pharmacies nationwide.
Findings and recommendations of three stages were unveiled in December 2011.
Read more on study methodology, findings and recommendations- Presentation (available in English) and Brief (available in Georgian).
During January-July 2010 Curatio International Foundation in collaboration with London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and other partners started exploring the effects of Global Fund HIV programmes on the roles of civil society organisations (CSOs) in Georgia, Kyrgyzstan and Ukraine. The study attempt to assess CSO advocacy efforts to reform HIV/AIDS and drug related Policies in three former Soviet Union countries.
In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted in Georgia, Kyrgyzstan and Ukraine by national researchers with representatives from a sample of 49 civil society organizations (CSOs) and 22 national key informants.
On July 4th findings of the study were published in Health Policy and Planning, titled as Has Global Fund support for civil society advocacy in the Former Soviet Union established meaningful engagement or ‘a lot of jabber about nothing’?
As the results of the study prompt the Global Fund support resulted in the professionalization of CSOs, which increased confidence from government and increased CSO influence on policies relating to HIV/AIDS and illicit drugs. Interviewees also reported that the amount of funding for advocacy from the Global Fund was insufficient, indirect and often interrupted. CSOs were often in competition for Global Fund support, which caused resentment and limited collective action, further weakening capacity for effective advocacy.
The study was funded by the Open Society Foundations.
Read the full version of the paper online.
The study assesses the impact of Medical Health Insurance (MIP) for the Poor on equity in access to essential health care services and financial protection against health care costs for the poor and general population. The document briefly describes identified accomplishments and shortcomings of the public private partnership in realization of MIP and discusses emerging policy options and policy recommendations on the future of MIP.
The study was financially and technically supported by the Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research/World Health Organization and carried out by Curatio International Foundation.
View the Policy Brief- Health Insurance for the Poor in Georgia, Content, Process and Actors
Read the Full Study Report- Health Insurance for Poor: Georgia’s Path to Universal Coverage
The deadline for submission documentations for CIF web site is approaching to deadline, June 15.
Master program students of Public Health Management or BA with focus on Public Health management from accredited universities in Georgia are encouraged to participate in the scholarship program for 2012-2013 years.
Description is available in Georgian.
Use of Multi-Method Rapid Evaluation to Assess Complex Non-Communicable Condition in Low Income Countries
At Geneva Health Forum 2012 Curatio International Foundation presented a study preliminary findings which looks at evaluation of health systems performance in low-resource settings with regard to diabetes management. With the use of multi-method rapid evaluation the authors assess complex non-communicable condition (diabetes) in five Former Soviet Union countries.
The study seeks to identify core problems and pragmatic policy options will be developed to address these gaps. The study is implemented in the frame of the 7th framework program supported HITT-CIS project.
Authors: Dina Balabanova, Martin McKee, Ivdity Chikovani, Oksana Ivanuto. Presented by Ivdity Chikovani
See the abstract here.
See the Newsletter.
Curatio International Foundation presented two posters at Copenhagen 2012 Conference- HIV in Europe.
One of the posters presented results of Bio-Behavioural surveys among Injecting Drug Users in five cities of Georgia in 2008-2009 and specifically explored Low testing uptake and their determinants among this high risk group in Georgia. Authors: Ivdity Chikovani, Ketevan Goguadze, Natia Rukhadze, George Gotsadze
The poster was presented in the session – Lessons learned in the implementation of HIV testing strategies for IDUs.
Another poster addressed issues around late diagnoses for HIV care. The National HIV/AIDS database for 2000-2010 was analysed and characteristics of high risk groups for late diagnosis in Georgia were identified. Authors: Ketevan Goguadze, Ivdity Chikovani, Natia Rukhadze, George Gotsadze
The posters can be seen at the HIV in Europe web site:
Low testing uptake and their determinants among IDUs in Georgia