Subject: RE: CDC Regional Hub in Tbilisi
From: Tamar Gabunia <[email-masked]>
To: "Aparicio, Juan J (Tbilisi)" <[email-masked]>, Maia Nikoleishvili <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 24 Apr 2020 14:23:51 +0000

Dear Juan

Many thanks for bringing this to my attention. It is really great to know that despite all COVID 19 related challenges the work is undertaken for establishing the CDC Regional Office in Tbilisi.

As for health care workers preparedness for COVID response: It is really alarming that we already have 35 health care workers confirmed with the disease.  We’ve been working very closely with private providers to explain staffing arrangement. Early in March we had a chance to have WHO technical advisor who made site visits to 8 public and private clinics to assess their readiness and discuss staffing arrangements. We also work with them to introduce antibody screening for health care workers as per ministry algorithm. During monitoring visits the medical regulatory agency as well as IC team from the health policy unit review staff mobilization plans at each hospital. Some private providers use 14 days shifts and have small hotels prepared to accommodate health workers. We’ve developed the list of all health care workers at all hospitals to be able to quickly mobilize them from nonparticipating clinics if needed. I’ve discussed with Marika Geleishvili and staring from Monday next week we will be organizing teleconferences for hospital senior managers to discuss again the level of preparedness including staffing.

Should you have more specific questions please let me know.

პატივისცემით,

თამარ გაბუნია

მინისტრის პირველი მოადგილე

Sincerely,

Tamar Gabunia, MD, MPH

First Deputy Minister

From: Aparicio, Juan J (Tbilisi) [mailto:[email-masked]]
Sent: 24 April, 2020 17:58
To: Tamar Gabunia <[email-masked]>; Maia Nikoleishvili <[email-masked]>
Subject: Re: CDC Regional Hub in Tbilisi

Dr. Gabunia,

I wanted to flag the e-mail below for your awareness - the thank you applies to you as well and I wanted to let you know how hard we are all working to keep the CDC Regional Office presence here moving forward.

Separately, I wonder if the Ministry of Health has provided guidance to private clinics on whether they should have a certain level of staffing or an on-call arrangement during this pandemic.

Thank you in advance, and please do let me know if you have any questions!

Best,

Juan José Aparicio | Political Officer

United States Embassy Tbilisi, Georgia

(O): +995 32 227 76 29 | (M) +995 598 080 254

Email: [email-masked]

From: Aparicio, Juan J (Tbilisi)
Sent: Friday, April 24, 2020 5:42 PM
To: Elene Godziashvili <[email-masked]>; de Ravello, Lori B (CDC Tbilisi) <[email-masked]>
Cc: Maia Nikoleishvili <[email-masked]>; Hedges, Sarah <[email-masked]>
Subject: CDC Regional Hub in Tbilisi

Hello Elene, Maia,

I hope you are doing well and staying healthy - thank you for all the work the Ministry of Health and NCDC are doing during this crisis!

I am writing to you with an exciting request.  As you know, CDC has been working hard to set up the CDC Regional Office, even if we haven't been able to announce it publicly or schedule the grand opening.  I am connecting you here Ms. Lori de Ravello, who is in charge of the effort.

Elene,

We know that you have worked with the CDC South Caucasus Office in Tbilisi to set aside space for them in the Lugar Center, and we were wondering if we could informally begin talks with the NCDC about the possibility of space for some staff (about 4 - 5) from the Regional Office as well.  If you think this could be possible, please do let us know and Lori and I will begin working with you on the details.

Thank you so much in advance!

Best,

Juan José Aparicio | Political Officer

United States Embassy Tbilisi, Georgia

(O): +995 32 227 76 29 | (M) +995 598 080 254

Email: [email-masked]