HRU Survey Report

There are over 300 000 IDPs currently residing on the territory of Georgia, which comprises over 15% of total population. Country had a few waves of IDPs as a result of military conflicts on the territories of Abkhazia and Samachablo (South Ossetia) starting from 1990’s with the latest large wave in 2008. Most of the IDPs live in compact settlements, such as old administrative buildings or specially constructed camps. In both cases, living conditions and social-economic status of IDPs are below Georgia’s national average. Individuals affected by the humanitarian crisis have differential healthcare needs and capacity to meet those needs compared to general population.

Therefore, starting from 2008, Georgia launched targeted health insurance coverage for a selected group of IDPs. Health insurance covered essential primary healthcare services, selected hospital care and essential drugs. Health Research Union (HRU) with support from R2HC conducted a survey to study health service utilization and expenditures among IDPs, and measure the effect of targeted intervention versus untargeted, integrated approach to health financing. The study was designed to contribute to the debate over the type of intervention that best fits the healthcare needs of populations in crisis.