Georgia Medical Tourism Alliance successfully hosted MEDEA, the first Georgian Medical Tourism Forum from 2nd-4th June 2023 to showcase the best of Georgian medical tourism. Dr Prem was invited to deliver a special speech on the Opportunities and Challenges of Medical Tourism in Georgia.
Visionary professionals, experts, and other guests from fifteen countries graced this forum.
This was a much-needed conference for Georgia to unleash its tremendous potential in medical tourism and set on a transformative journey. The venue was grand – Litz Resort in Batumi which offered a superb staying and networking experience.
No words of praise are enough for Dr Paata Ratiani and Dr. Dimitry Tvildiani whose unwavering efforts and outstanding hospitality made MEDEA a great success. Everybody felt at home. A great camaraderie prevailed throughout.
MEDEA – The Agenda
The agenda is to showcase Georgian medical tourism at the global level and establish Georgia as a prime medical tourism hub in the Transcaucasian region. Decades after the Soviet Union split, Georgia remains oblivious to the world despite its appreciable economic growth. People are not aware of how Georgia is advancing and what the country is offering.
This East European country has been a great tourist puller for a long time. From the medical tourism perspective, Georgia has few standout features that other destinations do not have.
The panel discussions and talks pivoted around Phage Therapy, Wellness and Detox, Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery, Dentistry, and Hair transplantation. With upgraded healthcare services and wellness products, it is looking forward to earning a respected position on the global medical tourism map.
Georgia – The Rising Star in Medical Tourism
A lot of factors are in favor of the growing medical tourism in Georgia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia, Russia, and West European nations, Georgia has the potential to offer transformative medical tourism and wellness experiences to many.
The country has made significant advancements in cardiac surgery, eye treatments, ART services, dentistry, aesthetics, and plastic surgery. Patients from bordering nations looking for affordable treatments and convenient travel prefer Georgia. The top source countries are neighboring CIS countries. Patients also come from Israel, Russia, Belarus, and Middle-East nations for cosmetic surgery and dental treatments.
A relaxing post-treatment recovery is a lookout for most medical tourists. Georgia’s highly developed recovery and rehabilitation resorts set in amazing natural landscapes give a competitive edge. It not only facilitates faster recovery but also helps in improving overall well-being through pleasurable activities.
The renewed interest in Phage Therapy to combat drug-resistant infections has created further opportunities for Georgian medical tourism. Georgia has been one of the few countries to apply Phage Therapy since 1923 when it was a part of the Soviet Union. Eliava Phage Therapy Center is one of the globally leading institutes dedicated to Phage Therapy since 1923. Patients from different corners of the Soviet Union and some European countries used to visit this center to treat serious infections.
GMTA spearheading Medical Tourism in Georgia
At the forefront of Georgia’s growing medical tourism stand two remarkable individuals, Dr. Dimitry Tvildiani and Dr. Paata Ratiani, whose visionary leadership and expertise have been instrumental in driving the sector’s growth. Dr. Dimitry Tvildiani, the son of the esteemed founder David Tvildiani of David Tvildiani Medical University, carries forward his family’s legacy of excellence in healthcare. Alongside him, Dr. Paata Ratiani, in association with Eliava Phage Therapy Center, has played a pivotal role in showcasing Georgia’s medical tourism to the world.
Dr. Paata Ratiani has a long association with the medical tourism industry. He is the first to launch the Georgian medical tourism company Medtourgeorgia. He has been an esteemed member of the American Medical Tourism Association and author of the first medical tourism facilitator manual – Medical Tourism as My Lifestyle.
Robust healthcare is the pillar of the medical tourism industry. Dr. Dimitry Tvildiani has been instrumental in upgradingDavid Tvildiani Medical University, granting it university status by the National Authorization Council of Georgia in 2011.
MEDEA – Key Highlights
MEDEA kicked off at theLitz Resort in Batumi with a welcome cocktail and music followed by an informal gathering.The event opened with the inaugural speech ofNino Nizharadze, the honorable Minister of Health and Social Defence of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara.
This was followed by a speech from Dr. Paata Ratiani (co-founder of Georgian Medical Tourism Alliance).The opening speeches emphasized the importance of medical tourism and its contribution to the country’s healthcare development.
In the following session, Dr. Dimitry Tvildiani President of the David Tvildiani Medical University, walked guests through the Litz Wellness and Detoxification Program with his demonstrative presentation. Dr. D. Sturua, President of the Eliava Institute of Phage Therapy, talked about Georgia’s contribution to developing this therapy since 1923.
The next day saw impressive speeches from experts and professionals that brought to light special attractions of medical tourism in Georgia.
- I. Goginashvili, President of Medison Dental Network, spoke of Georgia’s latest achievement in Dental Implantation.
- Prof. T. Kobulashvili, the leading surgeon of Arbat Beauty Center Moscow, gave a speech on the contemporary approaches to Plastic Surgery.
- Dr. S. Vadachokria, the Chief Operator of Talizi Co. Hair Transplantation discussed the fast and durable methods of this treatment.
Other globally renowned speakers and medical tourism professionals who elevated the significance of MEDEA with their insightful opinions are as follows:
Lutz Michael Lungwitz
Larissa Tielebein
Violetta Yanyshevskaya
Katarzyna Grzegrzółka
Florin Iosif
Dacian patcas
Ovidiu Galea
Tetiana Lobanova
Tulei Iryna
Fadi Jaber & Dunia Numan
Darina Demyan
Kristina Krivets
Mustafa Adel
JavharbekRozmetov
NANA BENISH
Dr Prem speaks about Opportunities and Challenges for Medical Tourism in Georgia
Amid the captivating ambience, Dr Prem took the stage. Owing to his long acquaintance with Georgia, he identified unobvious opportunities that could set this destination apart. His thought-provoking words ignited a collective enthusiasm among stakeholders to overcome challenges and embrace the vast opportunities that lie ahead. He envisioned a future where Georgia can firmly establish itself as a global leader in medical tourism.
Fun and Entertainment
Do you think guests and participants focused only on speeches and presentations? MEDEA had lots of pleasant surprises for them. Post lunch, guests went for the Batumi city tour,which included tasting the traditional Adjarian Khachapuri (bread dough base with special cheese and whole egg filling) and Georgian cuisine.
The next day, guests enjoyed tasting Georgian wine. Georgia is the oldest wine-producing region in the world,steeped in 8000 years of in wine-making. MEDEA ended with a gala dinner and a vibrant music show.
Litz Resort’s charming hospitality
Litz Resort offered lots of funfilled relaxing moments to guests.Its outstanding hospitality and customer care services made the stay memorable for all.Dr. Dimitry Tvildiani took special care to ensure every body enjoyed the best comfort.
This 5-star resort hotel is located near Batumi, Adjara in Kvariati village. Batumi is the second largest city in Georgia, next to Tbilisi, and is famous for tourism and gambling (not in tune with health and wellness though). The city is also known as the “Las Vegas of the Black Sea.”
Batumi is a teeming seaside resort, the biggest in the country. The lovely promenade along the Black Sea coast, old city architecture, gardens, and vibrant nightlife make it a great holidaying spot.
Guests at the Liz Resort were full of awe at the stunning 360-degree view of the Caucasian mountains, sea shore, and amazing infinity pool. The pool’s incredible design covering a vast area was mind-blowing.The sea breeze, mountain air, and sunshine create a wonderful climate promoting well-being.
The resort hotel is equipped with one indoor and two outdoor swimming pools, a waterfall, restaurants, a winery, a casino, a library, a kid’s zone, indoor games, and other amenities. Guests can enjoy hiking, trekking, and horse riding in the spectacular forests around the hotel.
What makes Litz Resort’s offerings exceptional is its medical wellness program. The resort has a mini clinic offering cutting-edge cosmetic and plastic surgery, dental implantation, and hair transplantation.
The Litz Wellness Program – Key Features
Health detox and massages are available in this program. The health detox offers computerized colon cleansing. Deep tissue massage, Hot Stone massage, cupping therapy, and laser massage fall under the massage category of the Litz Wellness Program.
The treatments offered are based on the recommendations of the NIH, US, and are supervised by the Graduates of David Tvildiani Medical University practicing in reputed hospitals in the US and Europe. The programs are highly personalized based on a preliminary clinical evaluation of the patient. This is followed by a treatment plan covering nutrition, workouts, and other activities.
This 3-day forum sowed the seeds of a thriving medical tourism industry of the future. A lot will depend on the effective collaboration of stakeholders both private and public to make medical tourism sustainable in the long run.
