Introduction: Health care system orientation to the primary care has a positive effect on the
continuity and coordination of medical services, which improves the health of the population.
Investments in healthcare are important in terms of formation of the health capital. The research
aims to find out the role of the health capital in economic growth of a Georgia (country).
Methods: This study is based on the secondary sources of data. The study data were
obtained from Human Development Report, Ministry of Labor, Health and Social Protection of
Georgia. As a proxy indicator for measuring the health capital we used the life expectancy, the
morbidity prevalence and Incidence rate, maternal and children’s mortality rate, outpatient referral
rate, the state expenses on healthcare.
Results: The average life expectancy has increased in recent 25 years. The maternal and
children’s mortality rate has decreased, healthcare expenses have become higher and outpatient
referral rate has also become more constant character. All these have a positive influence on the
people’s health and country’s economic growth. However, the state expenses on health and primary
healthcare referral rate is far below the European level. Patients are less motivated to go to a
primary healthcare for prevention and decide to receive medical service only when they are in
critical condition. All this shows that the primary healthcare system cannot fulfill the role of the so called ‘gatekeeper’. In general, the primary healthcare system has not developed in Georgia.
Conclusion: As the health capital fulfills significant role in terms of the country’s economic
growth in a long-run perspective, it is advisable to promote the development of the primary
healthcare system.
Introduction: Health care system orientation to the primary care has a positive effect on the
continuity and coordination of medical services, which improves the health of the population.
Investments in healthcare are important in terms of formation of the health capital. The research
aims to find out the role of the health capital in economic growth of a Georgia (country).
Methods: This study is based on the secondary sources of data. The study data were
obtained from Human Development Report, Ministry of Labor, Health and Social Protection of
Georgia. As a proxy indicator for measuring the health capital we used the life expectancy, the
morbidity prevalence and Incidence rate, maternal and children’s mortality rate, outpatient referral
rate, the state expenses on healthcare.
Results: The average life expectancy has increased in recent 25 years. The maternal and
children’s mortality rate has decreased, healthcare expenses have become higher and outpatient
referral rate has also become more constant character. All these have a positive influence on the
people’s health and country’s economic growth. However, the state expenses on health and primary
healthcare referral rate is far below the European level. Patients are less motivated to go to a
primary healthcare for prevention and decide to receive medical service only when they are in
critical condition. All this shows that the primary healthcare system cannot fulfill the role of the so called ‘gatekeeper’. In general, the primary healthcare system has not developed in Georgia.
Conclusion: As the health capital fulfills significant role in terms of the country’s economic
growth in a long-run perspective, it is advisable to promote the development of the primary
healthcare system.
