July 3, 2026
News
In 2026, Georgia’s primary health care (PHC) system entered a new phase of reform. Financial incentives are increasingly linked to quality indicators, placing greater emphasis on the management of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, as well as on the ability of family doctors to guide eligible patients towards cancer screening services.
For healthcare professionals working at the frontline, this shift brings both new responsibilities and new opportunities. Recognising this, the Czech Development Agency (CzDA)-funded project Cancer Prevention and Care Enhancement in Georgia, carried out by Caritas Czech Republic, is expanding its support to help PHC providers navigate these changes and strengthen the quality of care delivered across the country.
Rather than focusing solely on knowledge transfer, the project aims to provide doctors with practical skills, supportive supervision, and everyday tools that can be immediately applied in clinical practice.
Strengthening skills where they matter most
Beginning in June 2026, a new cycle of training activities was focused on two interconnected priorities: improving the management of non-communicable diseases and strengthening cancer prevention at the primary care level.
The training has been covering modern approaches to hypertension and diabetes management alongside breast and cervical cancer screening, with particular attention given to the role family doctors play in early detection and timely referrals.
Within the project, healthcare professionals have been participating in online learning sessions, receiving remote supervision, and taking part in two on-site supportive supervision visits designed to help translate theoretical knowledge into everyday practice.
This approach recognises an important reality: successful health reforms depend not only on policies and guidelines, but on whether medical professionals feel confident and supported in carrying them out.
From guidelines to practical tools
Training is only one part of the equation. To help doctors integrate new standards into routine care, the project is also updating clinical protocols for non-communicable diseases and developing practical job aids – concise, user-friendly guidelines designed to support clinical decision-making at the point of care. These tools are intended to simplify complex clinical pathways and ensure that evidence-based recommendations are readily accessible during patient consultations.
At the same time, healthcare providers are being introduced to the online screening booking system, an increasingly important component of Georgia’s evolving cancer prevention framework. By familiarising doctors with digital referral pathways, the project aims to make screening more accessible and improve continuity of care for eligible patients.
Together, these efforts seek to bridge the gap between national policy ambitions and the realities of daily clinical work.
Learning from real clinical cases
Another important component of the project is the introduction of multidisciplinary meetings, where family doctors and oncologists come together to discuss real clinical cases.
These meetings create a valuable platform for exchanging knowledge and experience across different levels of the healthcare system. Through case discussions, PHC professionals gain a deeper understanding of cancer risk factors, referral pathways, and early warning signs, while specialists gain insights into the challenges faced by frontline providers.
Ultimately, such collaboration strengthens one of the most critical links in cancer prevention: the connection between primary care and specialised services.
Reaching hundreds of healthcare providers across Georgia
The scale of the project reflects the ambition of the reform itself. Activities within the oncology component of the project will cover 61 urban healthcare facilities and all 935 rural ambulatory clinics across Georgia. Based on current estimates, a total of 1,811 doctors will participate in training and supervision activities. These numbers represent more than project outputs, but it is the signal of a nationwide investment in the people who form the backbone of Georgia’s healthcare system.
The initiative builds on Caritas Czech Republic’s long-standing commitment to cancer prevention in Georgia. Over the past decade, with support from the Czech Development Agency (CzDA), the organisation has contributed to expanding access to screening services, strengthening the skills of healthcare professionals, and improving cancer care pathways across the country. Caritas Czech Republic was the one who built and equipped the Zugdidi Screening Center. The current project, Cancer Prevention and Care Enhancement in Georgia, continues this effort by supporting national priorities in prevention, early detection, and primary health care strengthening – recognising that family doctors play a pivotal role in identifying risks early and guiding patients towards timely care.
Caritas Czech Republic’s support for Georgia’s PHC
The full impact of these efforts may not be visible immediately. Yet the groundwork for sustainable change is steadily taking shape. By investing in the knowledge, practical skills, and collaboration of primary healthcare professionals, the project is helping to create a healthcare system where prevention is stronger, referrals are timelier, and cancer screening becomes an integral part of routine care.
As Georgia continues to strengthen its primary healthcare system, Caritas Czech Republic’s efforts remain focused on ensuring that family doctors are not only prepared for reform, but empowered to lead it – bringing quality preventive care closer to communities across the country.
