City project

Implementation Requirements for quality cancer care

Strengthening Policy and Regulatory Frameworks for Quality and Medical and Surgical Oncology in Tbilisi

City

Tbilisi, Georgia

Project lead

Irina Javakhadze

Areas of action

The challenge

Cancer incidence and mortality remain high in Georgia, with nearly 12 415 new cases and over 8,200 cancer-related deaths reported in 2024.
Increasing demand for oncology services is placing pressure on medical and surgical oncology providers, many of which operate without standardised national quality requirements.
Limited availability of clear regulatory criteria for quality, safety, and accreditation limits the ability to ensure consistent, high-quality cancer care across services.
Without standardised requirements, the Ministry of Health faces challenges in regulating, monitoring, and improving cancer care delivery nationwide.

The goal

To improve outcomes for cancer patients in Tbilisi by supporting the adoption and implementation of essential policy and regulatory requirements for quality cancer care in Georgia.

The How

Review existing national regulatory and policy frameworks governing medical and surgical oncology services.
Conduct a structured gap analysis comparing current oncology services with international quality and safety standards.
Facilitate a scientific visit to the Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO) to explore best practices in cancer care regulation and accreditation.
Engage international experts to support the development of context-appropriate regulatory requirements.
Provide evidence-based recommendations to the Ministry of Health to strengthen accreditation and classification of cancer care services.

Outputs

Report development based on the analysis of the existing official documents regarding the cancer services (medical oncology and cancer surgery).
Recommended regulations to ensure provision of high quality systemic oncology treatment and cancer surgery services to be considered by the MoH.
Dissemination workshop with MoH and cancer care providers.

Team

Project Lead

Irina Javakhadze, Acting Head of Health Policy Department, Ministry of Health

Project Team

Tamar Esakia, Medical oncologist, Todua clinic, Deputy Head of the Association of Clinical Oncology Georgia (ACOG)
Maria Iacenko, Nurse, Todua clinic
Mariam Samkharadze, Pharmacist, American Hospital Tbilisi
Archil Sharashenidze, Surgeon, Caucasus Medical Center
Davit Maisuradze, Regulations Division, Ministry of Health

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