Health and Social Development

Health and social development projects support the reform of secondary education; control the spread of infectious diseases; increased capacity of health services; provision of national level health policy assistance; provision of expanded and improved reproductive health services; and improved conditions for vulnerable children and youth.

Rebuilding Lives
Save the Children
Sept. 2004 - Sept. 2009
www.savethechildren.org

This project improves the well-being of street and vulnerable children by providing services to help prevent children living on the street and through protection of existing street children.  Through day centers and mobile outreach services, the project serves approximately 3,000 street and other vulnerable children. In response to the August conflict in Georgia and to reduce the negative impact of the war on vulnerable displaced children, the project expanded its activities to three orphanages in Tbilisi and Gori to prevent new cases of institutionalization and abandonment, and support reunions with families.

Supporting Equal Opportunities for People with Disabilities
Save the Children
Sept. 2006 - Sept. 2009
www.savethechildren.org

The project aims to foster the conditions for equal opportunities and full participation of people with disabilities in the political, economic and social life of Georgia through strengthening the institutional and advocacy capacities of Disabled Persons' Organizations and improving coordination between the government and local and international organizations to develop coherent policy and strategies to address disability issues.  The project is being implemented in partnership with a local organization -   Coalition for Independent Living.  

Education Management Project
Chemonics International
June 2009 - June 2012
www.chemonics.com

This project is designed to build management capacity in the education sector through establishment of an education management training program for administrators supported by necessary financial and administrative policy reforms.  The objectives are: to improve long-term institutional capacity of Georgia to better manage the education system and lead its transformation;  and, ensure the effectiveness of education policies on management, finance, and accreditation through support to the Ministry of Education and Science (MES), MES educational agencies, and Education Resource Centers.

Tuberculosis Treatment and Prevention Project
Medical Service Corporation International (MSCI)
March 2003 - Sept. 2009
www.mscionline.com

This project focuses on the expansion of the Directly Observed Therapy short-course (DOTS) to ensure effective diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis (TB) in Tbilisi and eventually nationwide.  The project supports the National TB Program to improve clinical and laboratory services for TB patients in Tbilisi, Poti, and Adjara, as well as links HIV/AIDS and TB Programs, as a result of which all HIV-positive patients will be protected from TB through measures to avoid dual infection. After August 2008 war program expanded to Shida Kartli, to provide DOTS services to the population affected by the war.

Reduce Transmission and Impact of HIV/AIDS
Save the Children
May 2002 - Sept. 2009
www.savethechildren.org

The goal of this project is to reduce the rate of transmission of STI/HIV in targeted urban locations in Georgia, and to develop a cohesive/sustained response to prevent the further spread of sexually transmitted infections (STI) and HIV among high-risk groups, thus preventing transmission to the general population.

Cooperation in Health System Transformation (CoReform
Abt. Associates, Inc.
Sept. 2004 - Sept. 2009
www.abtassociates.com

This project provides technical assistance to the Government of Georgia to build its capacity to transform the country's health system into one that is more efficient, accountable, and transparent.  Specifically, the project supports the Ministry of Labor, Health and Social Affairs stewardship function and its efforts to improve access to health services for the population through targeted health insurance programs with involvement of a private sector.  The project strengthens a role of the Ministry in health policy formulation, development of strategies for financing and improving reproductive health (RH) and family planning (FP) services.   The project also acts as the technical secretariat for the National Reproductive Health Council.

Health Insurance Program
Abt. Associates, Inc.
April 2009 - Sept. 2009
www.abtassociates.com

The project will provide high quality, expert advice to the Ministry of Labor, Health and Social Affairs in support of technical discussions with the health insurance industry, work with health insurance companies and health service providers in Georgia to reach consensus on the new model contract agreement which is essential to improve health care outcomes, and continue support for the health insurance mediation service (HIMS).  

Health Management Education Project
American International Health Alliance (AIHA)
Sept. 2008 - Oct. 2009
www.aiha.com

The project aims to strengthen linkages between the private health care industry and hospital management and health insurance MBA programs, established in two Georgian universities in partnership with the U.S. universities.  Along with the graduate degree programs, the project also supports the establishment of short professional training courses focusing on specific subject areas of hospital and insurance management. Strengthening the skills and capabilities of the Georgian faculty and tailoring the educational programs' content to the needs of emerging private health care industry will ensure long term financial sustainability of these educational programs.

Healthy Women in Georgia
John Snow, Inc (JSI)
Sept. 2003 - Sept. 2009
www.jsi.ge

This project is designed to improve women's health, including maternal health, reproductive health and family planning services, through training doctors and pharmacists and conducting community outreach programs aimed at youth and expecting parents.  In addition to Imereti, Kakheti, Kvemo Kartli and parts of Tbilisi, the project also aims to improve maternal and child health services in regions with high concentrations of ethnic minorities.

Emergency Medical Services
Emory University School of Medicine
Sept. 2007 - Sept. 2009
www.emory.edu

The activity supports the development of Georgia's Emergency Medical Services system in cooperation with the Ministry of Labor, Health and Social Affairs.  The activity supports the establishment of an Emergency Department (ED), institutionalizes teaching capacity, develops emergency care models, improves referral and outreach, and promotes Government spending in health.  The project will improve delivery of services directed at the considerable burden of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and trauma in Georgia. 

Georgia Vocational Education Project
American Institutes for Research
May 2008 - May 2010
www.air.org

The program is focused on improving vocational education and training in construction and tourism, by building direct partnerships between vocational schools and employers to help ensure the country's ability to meet workforce needs. The program provides short-term, intensive training to Georgian workers to fill job opportunities created by post-conflict reconstruction projects as well as secondary support industries through rapid, intensive courses that directly meet the needs of employers.  Over 40 construction firms have requested that USAID help vocational training centers set up intensive, practical courses in construction trades that train graduates to work to International Building Code Standards.  Courses have been established in vocational training centers located in Tbilisi and Gori.