The year 2025 was indeed a particularly important and distinctive year, as very significant reforms were implemented, including in the healthcare and social sectors, said Georgia’s Minister of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs, Mikheil Sarjveladze.

As Sarjveladze noted, a major reform was carried out involving an entirely new regulation of psychotropic substances.

“The reform is linked to changes in the substitution therapy system, which, of course, creates better opportunities for the future to rethink this issue in a completely new way, regulate it functionally and qualitatively, and ensure that the entire sector truly serves the interests of society - focusing on harm reduction and real treatment. The year was traditionally and typically full of challenges, but it also brought very significant and serious successes. For example, the country was recognized as malaria-free, and the Georgian healthcare system celebrated a number of such important achievements,” Mikheil Sarjveladze stated.

According to him, the year was also very noteworthy in terms of social policies.

“An important innovation was introduced, namely the analytics of the effectiveness of social programs. The ministry worked on implementing these tools, and next year there will be significantly more opportunities. A notable example in the social sector was the establishment of the personal assistant service, which was successfully piloted in 34 municipalities. Across various areas, out of 42 sub-components planned for this year, remuneration was increased in 17 cases, creating better opportunities, including for improving efficiency. Fortunately, this tradition continues, and growth is also planned for next year. In both areas, it is encouraging that the country’s economic growth is primarily being directed toward improving the well-being of the population, both in healthcare and in social projects. Thankfully, this practice continues, and the coming year will be an unprecedented year of great opportunities in this regard,” Sarjveladze said.

Sarjveladze also noted that the internally displaced persons (IDP) resettlement program has reached a large scale.

“A total of 1,600 IDP families were provided with brand-new apartments. The program continues, and the public knows that large-scale projects in this direction are being implemented simultaneously in a number of cities. I believe this truly confirms that the Government of Georgia is absolutely serious about resolving this issue,” the Minister of Health stated.