Caritas Czech Republic (CCR) is the largest non-state provider of social and health services in the Czech Republic, it also provides humanitarian aid and development assistance abroad. CCR has five permanent missions - in Iraq, Georgia, Moldova, Mongolia, and Zambia - however, the organization is also working to improve lives of people in need in Syria, Lebanon, and Ukraine.

In Georgia, we have been focusing on development activities since 2008, when the country programme started. Until 2014, we worked mainly through cooperation with local partner organizations. A year later, Caritas Czech Republic´s full-fledged mission was established in Georgia. In our development interventions in Georgia, we focus on and healthcare, social protection, rural development, and environmental protection.

Our team focuses on the most vulnerable groups in the country, and strives to improve the health care services available to the Georgian population. We aim at greater social inclusion and stronger civil society in the country, providing assistance also to communities in rural mountain regions. Environmental protection is at the heart of several of our acitivities.

Caritas Czech Republic is part of more than 160-member global networks Caritas Europa and Caritas Internationalis, which coordinates emergency operations, formulates development policy, and promotes a better world for all.

Despite the fact that each Caritas operates as an autonomous unit, the member organizations form a confederacy which bands together in a time of any world crisis and acts as one.

Caritas Czech Republic with its headquarters in the Czech Republic provides social and health care services in Czechia, as well as humanitarian aid and development assistance abroad. In Georgia, we work along but independently from Caritas Georgia, another of the 160 members of Caritas global network.

Mission in numbers

General Information

• Caritas Czech Republic’s mission in Georgia was established in 2015.
• Georgian mission has about 30 employees and collaborators.
• More than 50 projects implemented so far.

Enhancement of Primary Healthcare

• 10 clinical protocols for primary healthcare were updated and approved from the side of the Ministry of Health of Georgia. Consequently, 64 online sessions and 8 supportive supervision site visits were provided to 16 PHC facilities of Dusheti municipality and 28 PHC facilities of Zugdidi
• 50 computers were handed over to rural doctors in Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti and Mtskheta-Mtianeti.
• 200 doctors were trained in doctor-patient communication specific, patients right and bioethics through accredited courses.

IT Solutions for improved Healthcare system in Georgia

• Electronic platform of unified queues, telemedicine and referrals for the primary healthcare named was created and introduced in 5 PHC facilities of Tbilisi, 16 rural ambulatories of Dusheti and 28 rural ambulatories of Zugdidi.
• Country-wide online system for booking Covid-19 vaccination was created on the address
• Unified Medical Records for Primary Healthcare was created.
• COVID-19 Laboratory information system was built for effective COVID-19 surveillance and 30 trainings in the use of laboratory information system was provided to 456 specialists working at the Lugar research laboratory and NCDC Zonal district laboratories in Batumi and Kutaisi.

Increased quality of Pediatric and Maternal Care

• 2 Clinical protocols on management of pediatric patients at hospital on the management of hospital associated pneumonia and ventilation associated pneumonia were designed and approved by the Ministry Health of Georgia. 200 pediatricians were trained respectively.
• 5 clinical protocols in pediatric topics - Management of upper and lower respiratory infection in children by family doctors, Management of acute diarrhea in children by PHC, Child with fever - clinical management by PHC, Monitoring and screening of child development by family doctors, have been designed and approved by the Ministry of Health of Georgia.
• 376 trainings and 514 supervision meetings
• 40 nursing protocols were updated and 9 nursing protocols were created in 2019 with the purpose of quality assurance of nursing practice at hospital and long-term care facilities.
• State protocol on Diagnosis and Management of COVID-19 Infection in Pediatric Patients was elaborated and approved by the Ministry of Health of Georgia.

Prevention, Early Detection and Treatment of Oncology Diseases

• In 2018-2019, Zugdidi Cancer Screening Center was built and equipped with the latest generation mammography machine, colposcope, ultrasound equipment, surgical instruments and laboratory inventory.
• In 2019-2021, 9000 patients received screening and other medical services at Zugdidi Screening Center.
• In 2020, 120 family doctors underwent training sessions in oncology.
• In 2020-2021, 6000 citizens of West Georgia attended awareness-raising campaigns related to cancer prevention and screening.
• Within the ongoing project, Rukhi and Batumi Republic hospitals will be equipped with modern minimally invasive onco-gynecological surgical tools and their staff will be trained in onco-gynecological topics.

COVID-19 Response

• 41 computers were handed over to rural doctors in West Georgia for improving work processes in COVID-19 pandemic settings as well as ensuing attendance to COVID-19 related online training sessions.
• 28 ambulatories of Zugdidi municipality received personal protective equipment during COVID-19, also 21 personal computers, glucometers, pressure devices, pulse oximeters,
• 55 oxygen concentrators were delivered to Georgian Medical Holding.
• 974 doctors from 10 regions of Georgia participated in the training sessions on the management of suspicious cases of COVID-19 at PHC level and 300 pediatricians were trained in the management of COVID-19 cases in children.
• 1160 rural doctors from all 10 regions of Georgia received supportive supervision and expert consultation from 32 practice facilitators on the management of COVID-19 in children and improvement of quality of child health and development.
• A training course in the management of side effects of COVID-19 vaccination for 1156 rural doctors was held in 10 regions of Georgia.
• Up to 300 pediatricians in Tbilisi and regions were trained for implementing of new protocols about Diagnosis and Management of COVID-19 Infection in Pediatric Patients.
• About 200 doctors of the online clinic of the management of COVID-patients were trained on the principles of effective telephone communication and on practical issues related to vaccination against COVID-19.

HIV

• HIV self-testing support service protocol has been developed and 5 doctors and 7 peer consultants were trained on protocol for stigma-free advisory provision.
• Social Protection and Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Rights-based healthcare services

• In 2022, four laws were analyzed regarding healthcare to harmonize them with the requirements of UNCRPD in order to improve accessibility to and create disability -friendly healthcare services. The respective recommendations initiative on changes will be submitted to the parliament of Georgia.

Rights-based services for adult PwDs

• At the initiative of the Agency for State Care and Assistance for the Victims of Human Trafficking, necessary strategy and action plan on independent living and for deinstitutionalization in Georgia was developed.
• 2 family-type homes for persons with disabilities were procured, rehabilitated and handed over to the State Care Agency. 4 more homes will be rehabilitated for PwDs.
• 115 persons with disabilities of Dusheti and Martkofi boarding homes received psycho-emotional support.

Quality Services for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

• State Protocol on identification, diagnosis and management of autism spectrum disorder was approved by the Ministry Health of Georgia.
• 1447 children were screened to assess the risk of ASD.
• 111 children were assessed through Gold Standard of autism diagnosis - ADOS-2.
• 33 municipal authorities from Kakheti, Imereti and Samegrelo advocated for increased budget allocation and 20 children were supported in Kakheti to get involved in ABA therapy.
• 41 behavior therapists were trained in using evidence-based assessment methods used for working with people with ASD (ABLLS-R, Essential for living).
• 3 inclusive education classes were opened at public kindergartens of Telavi, Zugdidi and Tbilisi.
• “Assessment of Basic learning and language Skills – Revised” (ABLLS-R) as well as functional Skills Assessment tool - "Essential for Living" (EFL) was translated into Georgian and adapted.
• National Autism Service Standards were developed and approved by the Government of Georgia.
• 113 autism specialists from all over Georgia were trained in diagnosis and management of autism spectrum disorder.
• 12 autism professionals were trained in introductory Early Start Denver Model (ESDM model) and 30 specialists were trained in SCERTS model in December 2020.

Development of Rural Mountainous Areas

• Local Action Group (LAG) in Khulo established.
• 65 LAG members trained in LEADER approach and LAG concept.
• Local development strategy including tourism development strategy for Khulo municipality was developed based on the LEADER approach.
• 90 residents from Khulo, Racha and Tusheti were trained in business planning and management, marketing and sales.
• 40 farmers from Tusheti were trained in modern agriculture practices.
• 22 households from Tusheti received seeds and necessary tools to implement modern agricultural practices.
• 15 shepherds were trained in using modern machinery during the sheep sharing process.
• 101 residents from Khulo, Tusheti and Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Region received grants for business startup and development
• 500 jobs created in Khulo,10 jobs created in Tusheti and 40 jobs retained in Racha.
• 220 beneficiaries trained in business management and marketing in Khulo Municipality.
• 273 beneficiaries trained in pasture management, sustainable forest management, DRR, agro-tourism and eco-tourism in Khulo Municipality.
• 846 vulnerable individuals were supported with poultry to maintain their livelihood activities during COVID-19.

Environmental Protection and Waste Management

• 3 garbage trucks and 299 waste garbage bins were procured and handed over to Oni, Ambrolauri, Tsageri, Lentekhi, Dusheti and Khulo municipalities.
• Waste recycling models were developed for Oni, Ambrolauri, Lentekhi and Tsageri Municipalities and approved by the municipal governments.
• Intermunipal waste recycling model for Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Region developed and approvedby the respective regional government.
• 127 farmers knowledge in composting practices were increased.
• 56 subsistence farmers and 15 schools were supported with all necessary equipment for making compost in Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti Region.
• 30 teachers trained in environmental education and 459 pupils and youth trained in circular economy in Racha-Lechkhi and Lower Svaneti Region.