Secretary Leavitt Meets with Georgian Minister Vladimir Chipashvili

June 29, 2005 - HHS Secretary Michael O. Leavitt met with the Honorable Vladimir Chipashvili, Minister of Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia to discuss U.S.-Georgian collaboration in public health, biomedical research and development, and healthcare delivery. Secretary Leavitt stressed the role of Georgia as a model for democratic development in the region, and indicated the willingness to continuing and further strengthening this important partnership with an emerging democracy. Minister Chipashvili briefed the Secretary on current economic and political situation in Georgia, and talked about the challenges and opportunities facing the country in the area of healthcare and social welfare. Minister Chipashvili also shared his plan to establish a state-of-the-art biomedical research and clinical medical center in Tbilisi, the capital city. Two sides have also discussed potential opportunities for U.S.-Georgian collaboration at the new medical center along with other health priorities such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and cancer.

Secretary's meeting with the Minister Chipashvili was also attended by the Honorable Alex M. Azar II, Acting HHS Deputy Secretary; Dr. William Steiger, Special Assistant to the Secretary for International Affairs and CAPT Philip M. Budashewitz, Director for Europe and Eurasia in the Office of Global Health Affairs (OGHA), and Dr. Nino Gabelia, OGHA Officer for Europe and Eurasia. The Minister was accompanied by Dr. Kakhi Paposhvili, Director, National Institute of Health and Social Affairs of Georgia; and Mr. Mamuka Murjikneli, Senior Counselor, Embassy of Georgia, Washington, D.C. In addition, Minister Chipashvili had a tour of the HHS Command Center, followed by meetings at the HHS National Institute of Health (NIH) with Dr. Elias Zerhouni, HHS/NIH Director; Dr. Sharon Hrynkow, Acting Director, HHS/NIH Fogarty International Center (FIC); and Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach, Director, HHS/NIH National Cancer Institute (NCI).

Minister Chipashvili assumed his current position in May 2004. His portfolio includes issues concerning the nation's health and social welfare. Minister Chipashvili, together with the First Lady of Georgia, Mrs. Sandra Roelofs, is a co-Chair of the Georgian Country Coordination Mechanism (CCM) for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. A surgeon by training, he previously served as the head of the Surgical Department at Tbilisi Hospital No.1. After his 1999 election to the Parliament of Georgia, he served as Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for Health Care and Social Protection. He played an active role in the November 2003 "Rose Revolution," and is an active member and one of the founders of the Presidential Party, the United National Movement."

Last revised: October 10, 2007