Assessment of Perinatal Care in Georgia

Maternal and child health is an important indicator of the country development. Georgia is undergoing significant structural changes as it moves toward a more free-market system and privatizes certain aspects of its government-managed health care system. As a signatory to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the Government of Georgia has pledged to decrease infant and under-five mortality by two-thirds and maternal mortality by three-fourths, relative to its year 2000 statistics, by the year 2015. According to official statistics, Georgia is on its way to attaining the MDG goal for maternal health. In contrast to these positive trends in perinatal care, the neonatal mortality rates do not show improvements. A comprehensive assessment of perinatal health care in Georgia was necessary for understanding the reasons for lagging perinatal health indicators and for improving these indicators through the enactment of specific public policies. The assessment identified challenges in inputs, such as facilities, staff, equipment, supplies and transport and provided policy recommendations.