A dissemination of the results of social and cultural grant projects was held at the Tbilisi Medical Academy (TMA), where the authors of last year's winning projects presented the results and main achievements of their initiatives. The goal of the event was to popularize the implemented activities, share experience and emphasize the importance of student initiatives.

Last year, the competition commission awarded five winning projects:

1) “Planetary Health and Waste Management”

Authors: Avtandil Samadalashvili, Medea Kusiani

The project combined a variety of activities over three months: seven informational and educational training courses and one large-scale cleaning campaign. Students collaborated with three non-governmental organizations and two social organizations, namely: “Tene”, “Sadagi”, CENN, Plastic Watcher and “My City Kills”.

At the final conference, 14 project participants gave presentations on environmental topics of interest to them. Among the speakers were both TMA students and students from different universities.

As a result of the project, the students provided training for 30 students. In cooperation with the organization “Tene”, special boxes were placed in the TMA space for collecting plastic bottles, the transportation and recycling of which is also provided by the same organization.

2) “Whisper of Danger: Studying the Decibel Effect on Heart Rate”

Authors: Rishu Girish Shah, Tamar Dandurishvili

The project authors shot a short educational film that explores the impact of noise pollution on cardiovascular health. The film combines real stories, expert assessments and presents the direct and indirect impact of noise on human well-being.

The project’s goal was to raise public awareness and encourage action for the city’s health. The initiative is fully aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, TMA’s mission, and its values.

3) “Special Needs Support”

Authors: Tata Tatalashvili, Elene Sajaia, Sesili Lazaria, Ana Chikovani

The goal of the initiative was to promote the integration of people with disabilities into society and create an environment where each person could realize their potential.

The students disseminated information on the challenges facing people with specific needs and their families in Georgia.

Eight activities were implemented over a six-month period — lecture sessions, interactive meetings, and art therapies.

The project involved collaboration with two NGOs and an autism center.

More than 120 students and more than 50 people with disabilities participated in the initiative.

The project slogan is: “Inclusivity starts with awareness — and awareness starts with us, future doctors.”

4) “Students for Public Health”

Authors: Mariam Jorbenadze, Nana Katchiuri, Mariam Kevkhishvili, Saba Chikobava, Elene Liluashvili, Elene Gubeladze

The goal of the project was to raise awareness about arterial hypertension and popularize first aid skills in the Gurjaani region. Informational and practical activities were carried out — hypertension screening and an emergency care workshop.

In the Kakheti region, the project authors, students, examined 35 patients (25 women, 10 men).

Within the framework of the initiative, the students also covered the Guria region. In particular, a hypertension screening campaign was held in the village of Shroma, Ozurgeti Municipality, where 57 patients (26 women, 31 men) were provided with cardiological consultations and electrocardiography over two days.

The citizens were attended to by TMA students, Associate Professor Shorena Chumburidze and invited lecturer Nino Chaghiashvili.

5) “VitalCare”

Authors: Nino Chkhutishvili, Levan Bakhtadze, Mariam Berdzenishvili, Lia Tevdoradze, Tamar Kobulashvili

The “VitalCare” project aimed to spread basic medical knowledge among adolescents and develop the skills to respond correctly in emergency situations. Over the course of three months, the students covered six cities: Tbilisi, Rustavi, Gori, Akhaltsikhe, Bakuriani, and Samtredia. Each visit included practical workshops and active interaction with school students.

In total, the students involved in the project trained 153 senior school students (grades IX–XII).

The project slogan: “Knowledge saves lives.”

After the students’ presentations, a discussion was held. The conversation touched on other social projects implemented by TMA. Among them, the student initiatives that won this year’s Social and Cultural Grant Project and whose implementation will begin next year.

It is worth noting that TMA’s mission and planned projects are fully aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.