Health and sustainable development: progress in Georgia (2020)

Since the late 1990s, Georgia’s health-care system has undergone several rounds of fundamental reforms and population health status has improved, narrowing the gap between Georgian and regional averages for many indicators. This report assessed health and well-being in Georgia and provides policy recommendations to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs) in Georgia. In addition to aligning policies with United Nations conventions and the SDGs, Georgia is gradually harmonizing legislation with the European Union acquis. Although significant achievements were identified with regard to implementation of the SDGs, challenges and bottlenecks remain that will need further responses and sustained government commitment. Leaving no one behind is a core principle of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and, therefore, equity in the Georgian health sector needs to be assessed and analysed in terms of equity of utilization, access and distribution according to need, negating regional and socioeconomic disparities. The results should be integrated within policy planning.