| From : | Cummings, Sarah R (Tbilisi) <CummingsSR@state.gov> |
| To : | Maia Nikoleishvili <mnikoleishvili@moh.gov.ge> |
| Subject : | RE: Georgia COVID Medical Capacity Question |
| Cc : | Gvantsa Gasviani <ggasviani@moh.gov.ge> |
| Received On : | 22.09.2020 04:08 |
Maia!
Thank you so much for all this information.
Your support and assistance is very much appreciated.
Best,
Sarah
Sarah Cummings, FNP-C, MBA, MSN
Medical Attaché
US Embassy Tbilisi
From: Maia Nikoleishvili
Sent: Monday, September 21, 2020 5:07 PM
To: Cummings, Sarah R (Tbilisi)
Cc: Gvantsa Gasviani
Subject: RE: Georgia COVID Medical Capacity Question
Dear Sarah,
Upon you request we would like to provide you with the following updated information:
Best regards,
Maia
From: Cummings, Sarah R (Tbilisi) <CummingsSR@state.gov>
Sent: Friday, September 18, 2020 10:57 AM
To: Maia Nikoleishvili <mnikoleishvili@moh.gov.ge>
Cc: Gvantsa Gasviani <ggasviani@moh.gov.ge>
Subject: Re: Georgia COVID Medical Capacity Question
Maia,
Thank you for your assistance! I very much appreciate it and look forward to your update.
Right now, we only have the figures from March which I believe are outdated:
· 9 hospitals, with 550 hospital beds total, are mobilized for COVID patients across country:o Tbilisi Infectious Diseases Hospital
o Bochorishvili Clinic (Tbilisi)
o Tbilisi Republican Hospital
o First University Clinic (former 8th Hospital, Tbilisi)
o Gori Military Hospital
o Sachkhere Hospital
o Kutaisi Infectious Diseases Hospital
o Batumi Infectious Diseases Hospital
o Zugdidi Infectious Diseases Hospital
· While selecting hospitals, MOH assessed ventilation systems in each of those to reduce risk of hospital-acquired infection.
· At this stage, majority of the allocated beds are used for quarantining.
· GOG is considering various scenarios of virus spread. At this stage, even the worst-case scenario should not necessitate organization of a field hospitals (e.g. special tents), since existing number of beds (~15,000) in country should meet the demand.
· There are up to 2,000 ventilators in country. 50-60% of those are used for non-COVID patients.
· Right now, 40 ventilators are ready / on stand-by for COVID patients’ needs in Republican Hospital, First University Clinic, and Gori Military Hospital;
· According to Gabunia, the existing capacity of ventilators should be sufficient to meet the demand.
· As per WHO recommendations. A country shall have a Extra-Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO, “artificial lung”) for the most severe patients. Georgia has three of those now, currently used in cardiac surgery. According to Gabunia, there should not be the need in more. Plus, modern advanced ventilators fulfill some of the functions of ECMOs.
· There are 150 licensed infectious diseases physicians in Georgia. In case of epidemy other licensed physicians will also be involved in response. In total, there are 20,000 licensed MDs in Georgia (this figure probably includes Tamara and me). Infectious Disease specialists are being used as trainers and consultants to train their non -ID specialist colleagues in COVID management.
· There is a shortage of nurses. If needed, MoH will mobilize those nurses who are licensed but currently are not in the system.
· At this stage there is no need to postpone any planned non-COVID surgeries.
· On March 11 MOH has started training (online) of General Practitioners / Family Doctors in COVID management. In case if number of infected increases dramatically, MOH may consider home management of mild cases, while only severe cases will be hospitalized.
Best,
Sarah
From: Maia Nikoleishvili <mnikoleishvili@moh.gov.ge>
Sent: Wednesday, September 16, 2020 19:12
To: Cummings, Sarah R (Tbilisi) <CummingsSR@state.gov>
Cc: Gvantsa Gasviani <ggasviani@moh.gov.ge>
Subject: RE: Georgia COVID Medical Capacity Question
Dear Sarah,
I will coordinate this issue and get back to you as soon as possible with requested information.
Thank you for continued cooperation.
Best regards,
Maia
From: Cummings, Sarah R (Tbilisi) <CummingsSR@state.gov>
Sent: Wednesday, September 16, 2020 3:32 PM
To: Gvantsa Gasviani <ggasviani@moh.gov.ge>; Maia Nikoleishvili <mnikoleishvili@moh.gov.ge>
Subject: Georgia COVID Medical Capacity Question
Good afternoon Maia and Gvantsa,
Thank you for all your assistance over the summer in working with the US Embassy medical team during this unique time.
I know this is a busy time for everyone. When you have a moment, do you have any information you could share on health facilities/capabilities for managing COVID?
Specifically, I'm interested in the current capacity (facilities, providers, beds) and how many beds are already in use. How do you expect it to be impacted with the new surge
in cases?
Thank you in advance. We very much appreciate all your support so we can keep everyone safe. Please let me know if there is a better point of contact for this inquiry.
Have a wonderful Wednesday.
Best,
Sarah Cummings
Medical Attache
US Embassy Tbilisi
From: Kiknadze, Natalia P (Tbilisi) <KiknadzeNP@state.gov>
Sent: Friday, September 4, 2020 17:04
To: Maia Nikoleishvili <mnikoleishvili@moh.gov.ge>; Gvantsa Gasviani <ggasviani@moh.gov.ge>
Cc: Cummings, Sarah R (Tbilisi) <CummingsSR@state.gov>
Subject: Return of Embassy Medical Provider
Good day Maia and Gvantsa!
Once again thank you very much for your assistance and help especially while I was calling you on week-ends and after hours. Your help is very much appreciated.
Our Medical Provider Sarah Cummings is back, so starting from next week she will be in touch with you.
Take care!
Regards
Natalia
Natalia Kiknadze MD
Physician
US Embassy Tbilisi
Phone +995 322 2277665
Fax: +995 322 277198
Mob: +995 591949373
Email:
kiknadzenp@state.gov