The Georgian health care system is planning to switch to the DRG system within the framework of the universal health care program. The health sector of the state calls for this change. A few days ago, 100 clinics sent a joint letter to the Minister of Health, Zurab Azarashvili, warning the ministry about the difficult financial situation in the clinics. According to the clinics, the rates determined within the universal healthcare system no longer cover their expenditures, that's why it is necessary to revise the rates.
According to the former Minister of Health, Zurab Chiaberashvili, today DRG cannot change the main problem that exists in the system. According to Chiaberashvili, the root of the problem is the interest of the state, which wants to reduce expenditures, instead of purchasing the best health services. At the same time, he sees a problem in the approach of the clinics, which focus on increasing funding and not on optimizing and reforming the system as a whole.
"DRG cannot solve the systemic problem we have. Today in Georgia we have the principle of one payer, when the state pays probably 80% of the money to the medical sector on the market.
The state has to pay the money, as well as control the quality, in such a case, the government, which does not have money, is always inclined to pay less money, and the quality is neglected.
If we want the state to pay attention to quality, then the spending of money should be transferred to someone else's hands," said Chiaberashvili.
