UNDP and UK launch an initiative to provide home care services to the elderly and other high-risk persons
By Khatia Bzhalava
Tuesday, June 9
UNDP shares the statement which reports that in the frame of the new initiative, launched by the United Nations Development Programme(UNDP) and the UK, 4000 vulnerable people at high risk of contracting COVID-19 including, older people living on their own, persons with chronic diseases and special needs, and people who need additional support in self-isolation will be provided with home care and other services in Tbilisi and the regions.
According to UNDP Georgia, As the country mitigates its restrictions regarding COVID-19, sustaining assistance to vulnerable persons is the key to preventing any renewed outbreak of the virus.
With over USD 60,000 in the UK funding, the initiative will be implemented by the Georgia Red Cross Society (GRCS) in cooperation with the Tbilisi City Hall and 29 municipalities across Georgia.
British Ambassador to Georgia Justin McKenzie Smith says he has been deeply impressed by the response of Georgia to the pandemic.
“One thing we have learned is that the virus is indiscriminate in who it affects. However, some are particularly vulnerable. The UK is proud to help Georgia’s municipal authorities and the Georgia Red Cross Society to provide professional home care services to those most in need. These services can make a huge difference to people’s lives,” Smith noted.
According to Louisa Vinton, UNDP Head also made a statement:
“Georgia stands out in having protected its elderly and frail population from the ravages of the pandemic, But particular vigilance is needed now as the economy reopens and social life resumes. With this new initiative, we are assisting those who are most at risk and, at the same time, promoting the idea that care services should be provided to all in need even after the pandemic passes.”
As UNDP reports, in 2013, the government of Georgia introduced the Universal Healthcare Programme, which aims to provide accessible medical services to all citizens. Long-term care service for older people and persons with special needs was not included in the programme, therefore non-governmental organisations were the providers of the services.
As the statement reads, according to the data of the Social Service Agency, there are up to 772,300 pensioners registered in Georgia and based on the information of NGOs, they require professional homecare, however, the NGOs can afford to satisfy only 15% of these demands. “Tbilisi is the only city in Georgia where homecare is partly covered by municipal service providers, but even there, only 1,200 out of 20,000 people in need of professional homecare are eligible to receive this service from the municipality.”
Aside from the professional and community-based homecare services, which The UNDP and UK initiative will provide to 4,000 beneficiaries in Tbilisi and 29 municipalities across the country, GRCS will launch an online learning platform as well, which will enable home care staff, volunteers and informal caregivers to gain the skills and knowledge needed for professional and community-based home care.
As the UNDP reports, the assistance to home care services is a part of an even wider initiative, which is implemented with funds from the UK aid from the UK Government. In close cooperation with the national partners, UNDP assists the Government of Georgia to carry out the Public Administration Reform (PAR). The project echoes three out of six policy areas identified in the PAR Roadmap 2020: Policy Development and Coordination, Human Resources Management and Civil Service Reform, and Public Service Delivery.
