SUPPLY DISRUPTIONS AND CHALLENGES OF MEDICAL SERVICES IN THE HIGHLAND REGIONS OF GEORGIA

Abstract

The health care system is of crucial importance in ensuring access to medical care for the population, promoting a healthy lifestyle and improving the overall quality of life. There are significant challenges in allocating healthcare resources appropriately and based on population needs. Unequal distribution is a significant problem in mountainous regions. Solving delivery problems requires collaboration between health care providers, community organizations, governmental and nongovernmental organizations, and health policy makers. The purpose of the study is to identify the problems of providing medical services in the mountainous regions of Georgia, to study the needs of the population depending on the specific region. Recommendations and ways to solve problems should be developed. 3 highland regions of Georgia were selected as objects for the research. The regions were selected due to their geographical high-mountainous location: Achara, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti, Racha-Lechkhumi, Kvemo Svaneti. Focus groups of the research are: population, clinic managers, clinic doctors/nurses. Residents of the regions took part in the survey - a total of 467 people. The survey was conducted individually, combined - both on-site and electronically. The study identified several key factors that lead to delays in the delivery of medical services - geographic barriers, faulty infrastructure, unqualified human resources, and uncoordinated efforts by governmental and non-governmental organizations to address the issue.