Georgia’s Ministry of Health has announced that it is continuing efforts to extend state-funded diagnostic, inpatient and outpatient services, currently available to children with neuromuscular conditions, to adult patients as well.
In connection with this initiative, Health Minister Mikheil Sarjveladze, accompanied by his deputy, Tea Giorgadze, met with physicians and hospital management who have expressed an interest in joining the programme and offering these services to eligible beneficiaries.
Minister Sarjveladze noted that ongoing monitoring is one of the most important components in the management of spinal muscular atrophy, Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Becker muscular dystrophy. He added that, once the new provisions come into force, beneficiaries will have access to a significantly broader range of services, making the overall management of their conditions considerably more effective.
According to the Ministry, patients enrolled in the programme will be entitled to consultations with a neurologist, cardiologist, pulmonologist, endocrinologist, gastroenterologist/nutritionist and orthopaedist, as well as a comprehensive suite of clinical, laboratory and instrumental examinations. These will include electrocardiography, echocardioscopy, 24-hour Holter monitoring, spirometry, densitometry, vitamin D level assessment, chest X-ray, spinal X-ray, full blood count, urinalysis, creatine kinase measurement, renal function tests (urea and creatinine), liver function tests (alkaline phosphatase, ALT and AST), electrolyte panels (sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium and iron), blood glucose measurement, and stool testing for occult bleeding.
