Subject: COVID management by FPs
From: Tamar Gabunia <[email-masked]>
To: "DOMENTE, Silviu" <[email-masked]>
Cc: Lela Tsotsoria <[email-masked]>, "KLIMIASHVILI, Rusudan" <[email-masked]>, Ekaterine Adamia <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 21 Sep 2020 07:09:30 +0000

Dear Silviu

I hope all is well with you. As you may already know we have Covid10 case increase in Batumi. Due to anticipated demand on hospital services, we’ve introduce the new patient care pathway which includes initial triage by family physicians with a subsequent referral to hospitals (several cases) or selected “COViD “ hotels where we have medical workers observing patients. In these circumstances greater engagement of family medicine providers has become even more acute. We have the Global Fund supporting online training of FPs that is implemented by Dr. Tsertvadze’s team. This is helpful, however physicians need onsite training and supportive supervision. I’ve approached GF for additional funding but they do not have any for the time being. I am writing to ask if this component could be supported within WHO mandate/resources. I am thinking about creating regional FM advisory teams which would do site visits, consult/train FPs at work places and provide ongoing support as needed.

I would appreciate your feedback on this request.

With kind regards

პატივისცემით,

თამარ გაბუნია

მინისტრის პირველი მოადგილე

Sincerely,

Tamar Gabunia, MD, MPH

First Deputy Minister