Tbilisi City Hall to launch free lung cancer screening programme from May 1
“Tbilisi City Hall is to begin funding a lung cancer screening programme from May 1,” Mayor Kakha Kaladze announced today at a session of the Tbilisi Municipal Government.
According to the Mayor of Tbilisi, free screening will be available to active smokers aged 45 to 75 who are registered in the capital, as well as to those who have quit smoking within the past fifteen years.
“We have helped countless families and individuals through the projects of our City Health and Social Services Agency. Tbilisi City Hall is now taking the next step by funding a lung cancer screening programme. From May 1, the procedure will be entirely free of charge for eligible residents and will be financed by the City Health and Social Services Agency under its Disease Screening Programme. Active smokers aged between 45 and 75 who are registered in the capital, as well as those who quit within the last fifteen years, will be entitled to a free lung cancer screening,” said Kakha Kaladze.
He added that the parameters of the screening programme, including the eligible age range, were determined in close consultation with leading specialists in oncology, radiology and pulmonology. Participating clinics and expert practitioners were selected based on their experience and qualifications.
“The screening will involve a low-dose computed tomography scan, which will be read independently by two radiologists. In the event of differing assessments, a case conference will be convened with the involvement of a third radiologist. Tbilisi City Hall has selected leading clinics that meet the required standards in terms of specialist expertise and technical infrastructure to deliver the programme. At this stage, sixteen medical institutions located across different parts of the capital will be participating in the programme,” the Mayor stated.
Kaladze also noted that lung cancer ranks first in the world for cancer-related mortality, and that screening of high-risk individuals aids in early detection and can increase survival rates by as much as seventy per cent.
Most Read
Other News
WHO cites Georgia’s Hepatitis C elimination program as a successful example
30.07.2026.18:13
The World Health Organization’s Regional Office for Europe (WHO/Europe) has cited Georgia’s Hepatitis C elimination program as a successful example, the Georgian Health Ministry said.
According to the Ministry, the WHO 2026 Global Report on Hepatitis emphasizes Georgia’s progress and experience in how a disease can be reduced through firm political will, large-scale testing, and the provision of universal treatment.
“Georgia’s Hepatitis C elimination program has demonstrated that elimination is not merely a goal, but a truly achievable outcome. By expanding testing, ensuring access to treatment, and collaborating closely with communities, we have dramatically reduced the burden of Hepatitis C in the country.
Our experience demonstrated that any country can make progress when Hepatitis elimination becomes a national priority,” said Maia Tsereteli, Head of Division of HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, TB and STIs at the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health (NCDC).
The Health Ministry believes this international recognition highlights Georgia’s leadership in this direction.
The WHO calls on countries in the European region to overcome barriers and draw on the experience of successful nations to achieve the elimination of viral hepatitis by 2030.
Health Minister thanks parents for constructive talks, joint working group critically important to secure DMD medication
04.06.2026.17:52
Working group to be established on medicines for children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy - Georgian PM
04.06.2026.17:50
WHO Director-General: Georgia’s “commitment, success” gives us hope that malaria-free world “possible”
27.01.2025.00:00
