Health minister visits Jo Ann University Hospital over rare disease treatment program

Georgia’s Health Minister Mikheil Sarjveladze on Saturday visited Jo Ann University Hospital, which is seeking to become a service provider within the new component of the state program for the treatment of rare diseases.

Together with Deputy Minister Tea Giorgadze, Sarjveladze reviewed the hospital’s capabilities in this field.

The new component of the program will provide outpatient, inpatient, and diagnostic services for patients with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, and Becker Muscular Dystrophy.

Sarjveladze inspected the diagnostics and outpatient departments and familiarized himself with the clinic’s technical equipment.

The minister, together with the hospital’s management and medical staff, discussed the institution’s capacity to provide care for patients with neuromuscular diseases, as well as the needs of beneficiaries and issues related to the effective management of the program.

Sarjveladze added that one of the key components in treating neuromuscular diseases is continuous monitoring of disease progression. He noted that the new initiative will give beneficiaries access to a broader range of essential medical services, making the management of their health conditions more effective.

The ministry also noted that the state has increased funding for the treatment of congenital heart defects, a move expected to further improve the quality and management of medical services.