Zurab Azarashvili spoke about the challenge he had to deal with during his tenure as a minister - this is how Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze assessed the statement of the former Minister of Health, Zurab Azarashvili.

According to Irakli Kobakhidze, Zurab Azarashvili did a lot of important things during his tenure as the Minister of Health.

"Many, very important things were done by Zura Azarashvili when he was the Minister of Health. There were serious problems that Zurab Azarashvili focused on, he worked to overcome these problems. Of course, the work on the problems that Zurab Azarashvili talks about will continue. I saw problems in another direction, it was primarily a communication problem. I focused on that. As for the fight against cartel deals or similar processes, it will certainly continue in the same mode. It is our desire that this policy be even more effective. Everything will continue as it started. Zurab Azarashvili did a lot of important things when he was the Minister of Health, including in the direction he focused on. Work in this direction will continue", said Kobakhidze.

When asked if he admits that there are "business interests of powerful groups" in the healthcare system, which Azarashvili talked about, Irakli Kobakhidze answered that when the healthcare sector grows, risks also emerge.

"The healthcare sector has been growing rapidly since 2012. When a particular sector grows rapidly, in this case healthcare, there are also risks, including the risk of cartel deals, wrong processes. Constant attention is needed. I will thank Zurab Azarashvili. He took many steps to ensure that the healthcare sector in our country did not develop in the wrong direction. Attention is also needed in the future", said Kobakhidze.

According to the Prime Minister, there were some gaps in communication with the Minister of Health.

"Therefore, the decision I made was made, although this decision cannot in any case deprive Zurab Azarashvili of the merit he has due to his many years of activity", said Kobakhidze.