Irakli Purtseladze Appointed Director of Georgia’s National Center for Disease Control

Irakli Purtseladze has been appointed Director of the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health (NCDC). The new head of the center was introduced to employees by the Minister of Health, according to a statement from the Ministry.

The position had remained vacant since Amiran Gamkrelidze resigned in September 2022. Following his departure, former First Deputy Minister of Health Tamar Gabunia served as Acting Director. However, after the newly formed “Georgian Dream” single-party parliament expressed confidence in the new government, Gabunia was not reappointed as Deputy Minister by Health Minister Mikheil Sarjveladze. According to the ministry, Gabunia's departure from the position was by mutual agreement, and she will no longer serve as Director of the NCDC.

During the introduction of the new Director, Mikheil Sarjveladze emphasized that Irakli Purtseladze’s professional background and leadership experience will strengthen Georgia’s public health system.

Following the announcement, Minister Sarjveladze, Director Purtseladze, and Deputy Director Paata Imnadze toured the NCDC facilities.

Irakli Purtseladze brings extensive experience from the private sector. From 2002 to 2024, he held senior management roles at Aversi-Pharma, one of Georgia’s largest pharmaceutical companies, serving as its General Director from 2011 to 2023. Additionally, between 2016 and 2018, he chaired the Supervisory Board of the insurance company "Alfa."