May 9, 2024
News
Nino is a family doctor in Chkhoria, a small village in western Georgia. She cares for more than 3000 patients. Although Nino loves her job, being a rural doctor in Georgia still comes with many challenges. But Nino is dedicated to overcome them with the support from Caritas Czech Republic.
Working as a rural doctor in Georgia
Nino’s ambulatory in the village of Chkhoria is modest and equipped with only the necessary tools. Nino has been working here for the past 30 years. She provides medical services for the people in the village and those living in Raya, the neighbouring village. “In total, I care for 3000 people, both children and adults,” says Nino.
“I love my patients. They are the most important part of my job,” tells us Nino. She compares her work to that of a painter. When she treats a patient to become healthy again, she compares that to a painter finalising their work. The view from her office looks like a work of art, too, with several cows grazing in front of the entrance gate.
But the work of a doctor in the countryside is not idyllic. Being a rural doctor in Georgia still comes with many difficulties. Rural doctors have to deal with challenges in their medical practices because the lack of doctors and the busy schedule make it hard to always follow the medical news. However, as a family doctor, it is important to work with the most up-to-date practices in the field. That is why Caritas Czech Republic supports rural doctors in Georgia by providing training on these updates.
“We base our work, especially our daily activities, on these trainings,” tells us Nino. This has a positive influence on her medical practice and the patients' health.
I am happy to be a doctor, says Nino
Doctors in rural areas also have to deal with social problems and the difficult geographical situation. Like many other doctors, Nino lives in the city and has to travel to the village to treat her patients. After working hours, she is also available by phone for the patients to call her. This is not always easy, but Nino wants to overcome this difficulty for her patients.
“I have known my patients for years. I have been treating the people from the village for such a long time that I know their families, their health conditions and their social situation,” says Nino. She is dedicated to overcome all difficulties in her job: “I am happy to be a doctor. The job is exciting for me.”
How Caritas Czech Republic supports the healthcare in Georgia
Georgia's healthcare system, especially the primary healthcare, has improved greatly during the past years. In cooperation with the Georgian government, Caritas Czech Republic supports Georgian doctors with training sessions based on updated clinical protocols. We provide the family doctors with trainings to stay up to date in the changing medical field.
Caritas Czech Republic also introduced a unified electronic management information system throughout the whole country. The system significantly simplifies everyday work of the doctors - instead of paper documentation, they can find all information about patients in the electronic registry. The electronic system serves not only as a central information register of patients and health care provided, but also ensures data sharing with other government information systems. This way the doctors are better updated about the patient's state and treatment. It helps many Georgians to be diagnosed and treated early. Caritas Czech Republic also improved the services for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Georgia.
We can support the health and social care in Georgia thanks to the financial support of the Czech Development Agency. We are also able to help thanks to the generous support of our donors. Thank you for helping with us.
