On March 28, 2018, 100 years have passed since the birth of a famous Georgian Pediatrician Irakli Paghava (1918-1988). To commemorate this event, on March 31, Tbilisi State Medical University hosted the evening dedicated to the memory of Irakli Paghava. The documental film (author: Creative Union "Pulse") and the book (author: TSMU Department of Pediatrics Professor Karaman Paghava) about Mr. Paghavas’s life was presented at the evening.
The Chancellor of Tbilisi State Medical University, Professor Zurab Orjonikidze opened the ceremony and welcomed the audience. He talked about the achievements of the great doctor and the noble person of the Professor. Mr. Orjonikidze especially noted that the professor had worked at TSMU for nearly half of the century and shown the students how to be competent and professional doctors. As for his medical activities, each Georgian citizen knew the price of the doctor Irakli Paghava! "Today we are proud of his name and we are delighted that the members of his family, who are also doctors, continue the professional route of their ancestors” said Mr. Zurab Orjonikidze.
Professor Karaman Pagava spoke about his father and noted that he is especially proud of his father’s great work. The professor had never been limited only by his job, but had also been an active and responsible citizen, fighting for independence of Georgia, respecting the history and language of his own country deeply.
Mr. Paghava was a guarantee of development of medical education and practical medicine in Georgia, namely, of pediatrics in the second decade of the twentieth century. He was the one who identified the vector for the development of national academic and practical pediatrics for several years.
Irakli Paghava was a brilliant teacher, gifted with an oratory talent. Sharing his own knowledge and experience to young generation was one of the main tasks of his activities. He created a pediatrician two-manual guides which became a desk book for many generations of doctors. 31 candidates and 10 doctoral theses were prepared under his supervision.
Guram Bekaia and Givi Saralidze also remembered the great scientist, colleague and the teacher. Professor Amiran Gamkrelidze, the Director of the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health who was also Mr. Paghava’s student, reminded public about his tireless work.
Professor Khatuna Todadze, Vice Rector of Tbilisi State Medical University noted that it is impossible to forget the overcrowded lectures of the Professor. The knowledge transferred to the audience became the basis of professional achievements of many students. He was a noble and professional person, who will continue living in the hearts of many people all over the country.
