Georgian prime minister Irakli Garibashvili on Monday said the Georgian Dream authorities had spent ₾7 billion for the Universal Healthcare Programme since taking office in 2012. 

In his speech marking the 10th anniversary of the programme, the PM stressed the healthcare budget has increased to almost ₾1.5 billion this year and noted private clinics had received 97 percent of budget funds, totalling almost ₾6.8 billion over the past decade. 

He also said the Government had  spent ₾350 million in referral services and ₾75 million for funding of the country’s citizens treatment abroad in the reported period. 

Garibashvili highlighted if still in office the United National Movement would have spent ₾700 million for healthcare programme between 2012-2022, meeting the needs of about 40 percent of the country’s population instead of current 97 percent.