‘From May 1 this year, lung cancer screening will be added to Tbilisi City Hall’s disease screening programme, which will also be funded by the municipality,” Mayor Kakha Kaladze announced at a government meeting.

According to him, Tbilisi City Hall operates numerous programmes essential for both the screening and treatment of cancerous diseases, which will continue in future.

“February 4 marks World Cancer Day. Tbilisi City Hall stands steadfastly alongside the public in the fight against this insidious disease and operates numerous programmes essential for both the screening and treatment of cancerous diseases, which will continue in future. Healthcare and social services occupy a special place in our budget. We have many important programmes through which we assist those families and individuals who need our support most. We shall leave no one to face their problems alone. Within the scope of our capabilities, we shall help everyone and stand by their side. This commitment is reflected in the 2026 budget alone, where healthcare and social programmes are represented most significantly,” Kakha Kaladze stated.

As the Tbilisi Mayor noted, the City Healthcare and Social Services Department administers the Disease Screening, Bone Marrow Transplantation, and Breast Cancer Treatment Medication Funding programmes for the prevention and treatment of oncological diseases, and it also funds various requirements of cancer patients under the Medical Needs Funding programme.

Under the disease screening programme, breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening, as well as management components for prostate and thyroid cancer, are fully funded according to age groups. The programme aims for early diagnosis of diseases, early detection of cancer, and the reduction of mortality caused by oncological conditions.

In 2025, a total of 150,367 cases were funded through the disease screening programme, with the majority, 142,203 cases, managed by Tbilisi City Hall’s National Screening Centre.

“In the near future, a sixth type of examination, lung cancer screening, will be added to the disease screening programme, which will also be fully funded. This programme will come into effect from May 1, which is extremely important,” the capital’s Mayor stated.

Speaking about the bone marrow transplantation programme, Kakha Kaladze noted that under the programme, nearly 100 cases were funded in 2025, for which approximately 7,700,000 lari were transferred to clinics in Georgia and abroad. According to Kaladze, Tbilisi City Hall allocates between 10,000 and 235,000 lari to fund a single patient.

“In 2025, breast cancer treatment medications were funded for 347 citizens. To complete a full course of treatment, the City Hall provides a minimum of 24,750 and a maximum of 70,110 lari per citizen. The purpose of these Tbilisi City Hall programmes is to save and extend citizens’ lives and to ease their financial burden. First and foremost, I wish you all good health, but should the need arise, know that the municipality will stand by you in every way possible, within the scope of our capabilities,” Kakha Kaladze declared.

According to his explanation, the 2026 budget for the City Healthcare and Social Services Department stands at 46,122,590 lari for healthcare programmes.