University of Georgia School of Health Sciences and Public Health HUMAN RESOURCES FOR PUBLIC HEALTH: ANALISES OF UNIVERSITY PROGRAMS IN GEORGIA Chisinau, Moldova - September, 2013 Tamar LOBJANIDZE, Ramaz URUSHADZE, Otar VASADZE, Natia SKHVITARIDZE

Introduction Consideration of new Public Health ideology has began in 1995 after implementation of radical reforms in the Health System of Georgia. Sanitary-Epidemiological service was divided in two different departments: Sanitary Inspection and Public Health Department.

Introduction The main functions of the Sanitary Inspection were standardization and inspection. The Public Health Department had the following functions: Health Promotion; Prevention and Disease Control; Health Researches; Public Health Police Development.

Introduction Traditionally the basic educational product was produced by “Sanitary-Hygienic” faculty of Medical University but curriculum less reflected on market demands At the Faculty of Medicine of I.Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University was developed new Curiculum of Masters Program in Public Health.

Introduction 2006 At the University of Georgia was opened School of Public Health and started Masters Program of Public Health Management. At the Tbilisi State Medical University on the bases of the Public Health Faculty was opened International School of Public Health At the David Tvildiani Medical University was opened School of Public Health.

Introduction As far as the Health System of Georgia has not the Strategy of Human Resources Development, Educational System asymmetrically developed Bachelor and Masters Programs in Public Health. As the result, there is an imbalance among educational products and employment areas defined by the Government.

Objective The objective of the study was to assess Educational Programs in Public Health providing by Universities in Georgia.

Results During the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia has Accredited Public Health Training Programs at all three levels of education. 17 Universities have various programs in the Health (Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Public Health and Health Administration).

Results According to the modern competences in Public Health 6 Universities are accredited to provide various Educational Products. 2 Universities (Tbilisi State Medical University and University of Georgia) have all three levels of education: Bachelors, Masters and PhD programs.

Results State Universities: I.Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University – MPH and PhD Programs in Public Health; Tbilisi State Medical University – Bachelors, Masters (Public Health, Health Administration, Health Promotion; Epidemiology & Environmental Health) and PhD Programs in Public Health; Ilia State University – Masters and PhD Programs in Health Administration.

Results Private Universities: University of Georgia – Bachelors, Masters (Public Health and Health Policy, Health Administration) and PhD Programs in Public Health; David Tvildiani Medical University –Masters (Epidemiology) and PhD Programs in Public Health; Caucasus University – Bachelors and Masters Programs in Health Administration.

Conclusions It is difficult to state whether there are sufficient number of graduates from Public Health Programs to meet needs of Public Health Human Resources in qualitative and quantitative point of view. In order to establish the balance between the Human Resources demand in Public Health and the educational products the most important is to define number and types of needed Specialists and to make the inventory of University Programs in Public Health.

Thanks for your attention!