On September 23 Tbilisi Medical Academy celebrated the International Sign Language Day.

Correct communication is one of the most important parts of medicine. Tbilisi Medical Academy (TMA) is the first medical university in Georgia to recognize sign language and include it as an elective subject in the curriculum. Prof. Tsisana Lomashvili, Head of TMA’s Medical Program, spoke to the audience about the importance and purpose of this decision. She focused on the role of sign language in the healthcare sector as a tool for effective and equal communication. “An integral part of TMA’s mission is to create equal opportunities. That is why our cooperation with the Georgian Union of the Deaf is especially valuable. Together, we have created three elective courses — Sign Language 1, 2 and 3. This initiative has not only given our students a unique opportunity to deepen their knowledge and communication skills, but we have all become more sensitive and open to the diversity of society. Healthcare should promote inclusivity, equality and mutual respect. TMA has created the first precedent for introducing sign language into the curriculum in Georgia and we hope it will be very successful,” said Prof. Tsisana Lomashvili.

Within the framework of the event, a memorandum of cooperation was signed between the Tbilisi Medical Academy and the Georgian Union of the Deaf, the aim of which is to popularize sign language among the students of the Academy, create teaching opportunities, and promote communication and integration with the hearing-impaired community. The meeting was attended by Amiran Batatunashvili, President of the Georgian Union of the Deaf, and Maia Metonidze, Vice President. They emphasized the necessity of knowing sign language, especially for future doctors. “I have heard from many deaf people that they did not want to share their diagnosis with the doctor through an interpreter. We have come across many cases where confidentiality is violated by interpreters. In general, the involvement of a third party leads to distrust. Accordingly, the fact that future doctors will learn sign language will be very comfortable for deaf and hearing-impaired patients,” noted Maia Metonidze.

The event was co-organized by the Georgian Student Association of Public Health (GSAPH), headed by TMA graduate Dr. Ana Gabrichidze. The association actively cooperates with TMA and the Georgian Union of the Deaf on various projects dedicated to inclusivity.