Subject: Re: [EXT] 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]>, Lela Tsotsoria <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 29 Sep 2020 04:37:48 +0000

Dear Silviu

Many thanks for your prompt reply on this.  I've been travelling to Batumi these days and were not able to set a meeting on this. The Global Fund Project supported us with similar activity in March-May this year through Georgia Family Medicine Association/
National Family Medicine Training Center. As you may already know we have the 112-online consultation mechanism for COVID 19 response. This entails 25 primary care clinics across the country which are connected to 112 and receive calls from people with fever.
In Early September 112 also started  transfering COVID cases to family physicians at 25 sites for home based monitoring and follow up. As the number of cases is on rise we plan to extend the program to additional PHC sites in big cities (Tbilisi, Kutaisi,
Batumi, Zugdidi etc.). Besides it is important introduce the protocol for follow up care after COVID recovery at PHC level. I would be happy to discuss with you additional details tomorrow morning via conference call ( I am leaving for Batumi again today).
Please kindly let me know if September 30th 10 am would work for you for this call.

With kind regards

Tamar

From: DOMENTE, Silviu

Sent: Monday, September 21, 2020 12:08 PM

To: Tamar Gabunia

Cc: Lela Tsotsoria; KLIMIASHVILI, Rusudan; Ekaterine Adamia

Subject: RE: [EXT] COVID management by FPs

Dear Tamar,

The below initiative seems very relevant for the response in the most affected area for the moment.

We would be happy to support it, to the extent possible, and are ready to discuss it into more details – exact type and number of activities, preliminary budgets, timeframe, etc.

In case there are some preliminary calculations, please share with us.

Otherwise, we can always meet and discuss.

Let us know please, what is preferable for the ministry.

With best regards,

Silviu

From: Tamar Gabunia

Sent: Monday, September 21, 2020 11:10

To: DOMENTE, Silviu

Cc: Lela Tsotsoria ; KLIMIASHVILI, Rusudan ; Ekaterine Adamia

Subject: [EXT] COVID management by FPs

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