Pre-verification visit to Georgia
Georgia has successfully completed the pre-verification of its Emergency Medical Team (EMT Type 1 – Fixed) in accordance with the standards and methodology of the World Health Organization (WHO). This process represents a key step toward achieving full international classification within the WHO Emergency Medical Teams initiative.
Pre-verification is a structured and technical assessment designed to evaluate whether a national EMT meets the minimum global requirements for quality, safety, and operational readiness. It examines multiple components, including team composition, clinical capacities, standard operating procedures (SOPs), logistics systems, equipment, self-sufficiency, and coordination mechanisms.
As part of this process, the Georgian EMT underwent a comprehensive field simulation exercise conducted near the Tbilisi Sea. The exercise served as a practical validation of the team’s ability to deploy rapidly and operate in emergency conditions. It assessed:
- Activation and mobilization procedures
- On-site coordination and command structure
- Triage and patient flow management
- Delivery of emergency medical care in austere environments
- Logistics, including equipment setup and resource management
- Capacity to establish and operate a field medical facility
The simulation incorporated complex emergency scenarios, including natural disasters and technogenic incidents, requiring the team to demonstrate integrated, multi-sectoral response capacities under pressure.
The pre-verification process also included a detailed review of documentation, such as SOPs, clinical protocols, training records, and organizational structures, ensuring alignment with WHO EMT standards. Feedback provided by international experts during this phase supports further refinement and strengthening of the team’s capacities.
The Georgian EMT Type 1 – Fixed is composed of multidisciplinary personnel, including doctors, paramedics, nurses, logisticians, and technical staff. The team is designed to be rapidly deployable and self-sufficient, capable of delivering outpatient emergency care and stabilizing patients in emergency settings.
Successful completion of pre-verification confirms that the Georgian EMT is on track to meet international requirements. The next step is the full verification process, after which the team may be granted official WHO classification, allowing it to participate in international emergency response operations.
