U.S. Assisting Georgia with Medical Supplies and Diagnostic Instruments

October 29, 2009

On October 30, U.S. Ambassador John Bass and Georgian Minister of Health Alexander Kvitashvili will greet the arrival of humanitarian cargo of medicines and supplies brought to Georgia from the U.S. by Physicians with Heart (PWH) with the support of the U.S. Department of State.  This project is a collaboration effort between the American Family Physicians Foundation and Heart to Heart International.

A team of PWH volunteers will arrive in Tbilisi aboard the C-17 military cargo plane carrying much needed medical supplies such as blood-pressure medication, ophthalmological drugs, antibiotics, pain relievers, multi-vitamins, first-aid supplies, and vital diagnostic instruments.  In addition to funding the $7.2 million  worth of humanitarian assistance, the U.S. Department of State provided logistical support and transportation.

While in Georgia, members of the PWH delegation will participate in a two-day symposium on Family Medicine; they will also distribute medicines and supplies to schools and orphanages and volunteer in activities with children to help the local population recover from the military conflict of August 2008.

This assistance project is fully coordinated with the Georgian Ministry of Health.  The airlifted medicines and supplies are certified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.  Mr. Dan Rosenblum, State Department Coordinator for U.S. Assistance to Europe and Eurasia leads the delegation onboard the C-17.

Media is invited to attend the following scheduled events:

October 30

10:45 a.m.  Airlift ceremony and photo opportunity at Tbilisi International Airport

12:00 p.m.  Press conference VIP lounge

October 31

10:30 a.m. Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Khidistavi Ambulatory (Hellenicare)

11:00 a.m. Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Gori Sports School (ACTS Georgia)

11:30 a.m. Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Gori Kindergarten #14 (Hellenicare)

November 2

2:00 p.m. Hand-over ceremony of humanitarian aid at Tbilisi State Medical University (UMCOR Georgia)

November 3

9:00 a.m.--5:00p.mMural painting with children, Tbilisi Childcare Institute (ACTS Georgia)

November 4

9:30 a.m.  Symposium at TSMU – Tbilisi State Medical University (Opening Remarks)

12:00 p.m. Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, Saguramo Orphanage (Counterpart International)

November 5

10:15 a.m. Visit to IDP camp (Hellenicare)

2:00 p.m. Party and activities with children, Tbilisi Childcare Institution (ACTS Georgia)

For further information please contact:

• U.S. Embassy, Tbilisi
• Nana Kiknadze, Information Assistant, Public Affairs Section. Cell: 8 99 54 07 34
• Shalva Bibilashvili, Information Assistant, Public Affairs Section. Cell: 8 99 72 88 08

Or the following representatives from the U.S. Department of State partner NGOs in Tbilisi:

• UMCOR
• Asmat Beshidze, Medical Coordinator/ Program Officer. Cell: 899 338 697
• IRD
• Irakli Pruidze, Program Director. Cell: 8 77 437 028
• CHAP
• Marina  Bilanishvili, Counterpart's CHAP/NIS PR Manager. Cell: 8 99 218192
• ACTS Georgia
• Guram Amiridze, Vice-President. Cell: 8 77 405 090
• Hellenicare
• Alina Papanidi,  PHCI Regional Coordinator. Cell: 8 99 190 724