In September, 2018 in the framework of the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly held in N.Y.C., Dr. Amiran Gamkrelidze, Director General of the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health met with Dr. Robert R. Redfield, Director /CDC and Dr. Rebecca Martin, Director /CDC CGH.

On bilateral meeting the parties discussed the ongoing collaboration, achievements and successful implementation of the projects such as: hepatitis, influenza, infection control and AMR. The importance and outcome of the CDC South Caucasus Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (FELTP) for public health professionals, epidemiologists and veterinarians were underlined.

Dr. Redfield took an interest in NCDC other directions as well: Surveillance of NCDs, Environmental Health etc. The parties also discussed the future sustainability of the CDC representative office in Georgia.

At the meeting Dr. Amiran Gamkrelidze handed over the NCDC strategic documents to the American colleagues: “Role of the U.S. Donor and Partner Organizations in the Development and Strengthening of Public Health, Bio-medical and Bio-technological Potential in Georgia”; “National Center for Disease Control and Public Health Strategic Plan for 2018-2022”; “Achievements and Challenges for 2012-2017”.

Dr. Robert Redfield expressed his willingness to visit Georgia in the first half of the 2019 calendar year.