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The Hospital - The Next Frontline of Veterans

Author: Maka Gogaladze

Edition: Healthcare
Archive

The article you are reading is part of the Chai Khana archive. From 2015 to 2025, Chai Khana covered the South Caucasus, sharing stories from Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan.

The War Veterans Military Hospital of Georgia, has operated since 1978 in a 3-floor building on Iamanidze street, Tbilisi. The hospital serves more than 70,000 veterans registered in the database of the State Department of War Veterans.

The building of the hospital is under the subordination of the National Agency of state property, Ministry of Economy.  The licence to operate is issued by the Ministry of Healthcare, so the hospital is under the subordination of the Ministry of Healthcare.

The medical treatment for veterans was free until 2016 in the hospital.

The State Department of War Veterans allocated 800,000 gel annually from the budget for the clinic. The financial aid was provided on the basis of the state resolution of monthly performed services by the hospital. The resolution was not issued this year. 

The medical treatment for veterans was free until 2016 in the hospital. The employees continue to work for free, and the patients often have to buy medication themselves. Doctors, hospital administration and patients unite in so called “headquarters” and they are requesting the continuation of financing War Veterans Military Hospital 



 

The hospital offers a wide range of medical treatment to the patients. The range includes: polyclinical department, surgery, intensive care and general therapy. The hospital has 80 beds and admits more than 1,700 patients per year. Ambulatory admits around 12,000 patients per year.
The hospital counts more than 15,000 visitors. 

Gizo Kandelaki, 86 years old, from Tbilisi, a veteran of World War II. It’s his 8th time in the hospital. At the moment, his diagnosis is severe bronchitis and heart failure.
Rujen Gudadze, 68 years old, IDP from Tskhinvali, a veteran of the Afghanistan war. His 4th time in the hospital. Diagnosis: Ischemia.
Robert Shengelia, 59 years old, homeless from Tbilisi. a veteran of wars in Abkhazia and Samachablo. His 3rd time in the hospital. Diagnosis: Minor Infarction.
Meri Chlaidze, 86 years old from Racha. A veteran of World War II. Her 3rd time in the clinic. Diagnosis: Arthritis.
Meri Tsiskariani, 76 years old, IDP from Abkhazia. She lost her son during the war in Abkhazia. Her 15th time in the hospital. Diagnosis: Arthritis.
Merab Berulava, 43 years old, from Tbilisi. A veteran of wars in Abkhazia and Samachablo. His 1st time in the hospital. Diagnosis: Neurosis.
Giorgi Odishvili, 64 years old from Gardabani. A veteran of Abkhazian war. his 21st time in the hospital. Diagnosis: Heart failure.
Anzor Ioseliani, 67 years old, from Tbilisi. A veteran of Abkhazian war. His 5th time in the hospital. Diagnosis: Gastritis.
Murman Tsertsvadze, 64 years old, from Tbilisi. A veteran of Abkhazian war. His 6th time in the hospital. Diagnosis: pneumonia
Mamuka Khubashvili, 49 years old, from Dusheti region. A veteran of Abkhazian war. His 5th time in the hospital. Diagnosis: Kidney failure.
Ivane Ochigava, 52 years old, from Tbilisi. A veteran of Abkhazian war. His 20th time in the hospital. Diagnosis: Pneumonia and kidney failure.
Iason Kitrishvili, 91 years old from Dusheti. A veteran of World War II. His 10th time in the hospital. Diagnosis: Bronchial asthma.
Shota Gogoladze, 60 years old from Kharagauli. A veteran of Abkhazian war. his 23rd time in the hospital. Diagnosis: Stroke.
Imeda Gogochuri, 43 years old from Tbilisi. A veteran of Abkhazian war. His 3rd time in the clinic. Diagnosis: Testicular inflammation.
Aslan Baghashvili, 90 years old from Tetritskaro. A veteran of World War II. His 3rd time in the hospital. Diagnosis: Arthritis.
Zakara Vakhtangashvili, 80 years old, IDP from Liakhvi Valley. A veteran of Samachablo war. His 3rd time in the hospital. Diagnosis: Neuritis.
Otar Koberidze, 46 years old, from Tbilisi. A veteran of wars in Abkhazia and Samachablo. His 1st time in the hospital. Diagnosis: Liver cirrhosis.