Tbilisi’s Republican Hospital has a new director. Javara Ugrekhelidze has been appointed to lead the clinic, replacing former director Goga Meskhi, who has transitioned to the Social Services Agency as deputy director. Georgia’s Minister of Health, Mikheil Sarjveladze, introduced the new director to the hospital staff and outlined upcoming development plans.
Ugrekhelidze holds a PhD in medicine and has extensive experience in healthcare management. Most recently, she headed a division within the Medical and Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency. Before that, she led the hospital’s Continuous Medical Education Center and previously served as deputy director and medical manager. She also lectures at the Tbilisi Medical Academy and Caucasus University, with scientific publications in cardiology and hypertension.
The Ministry thanked outgoing director Meskhi for his work. His departure comes amid ongoing discussions about the future of the Republican Hospital. In early 2024, then-Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili announced plans to demolish the existing facility and build a new one, citing its outdated and partially non-functional infrastructure, sparking protests from medical staff. GD Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze later changed the decision.
As of 2026, the government has allocated 1.35 million GEL for the hospital’s full rehabilitation project, to be procured through a simplified procedure.
