Isabel Mestres: Continuous, systemic improvements are the path to improve peoples lives

Isabel Mestres shared on LinkedIn:

“H.E Minister of Health, Georgia, Dr Mikheil Sarjveladze, said yesterday: ‘Georgia has seen unprecedented multisectorial-led transformational changes in cancer care over the past years with C/Can.’

We know, quick fixes and siloed interventions aren’t the answer—continuous, systemic improvements are the path to improve peoples lives.

This is the journey Tbilisi, Georgia, embarked on in 2019 with the City Cancer Challenge, and since then, we’ve witnessed the power of multisectoral collaboration and local commitment that has strengthened the national healthcare system.

In the first cycle of transformation, we made significant strides—establishing care standards, improving diagnostic pathways, and strengthening education. These are just a few examples from 9 projects delivering 31 outputs.

But this is a continuous journey. To create lasting impact, we’re now launching Cycle 2 in Tbilisi, with MoH & in close collaboration with World Health Organization to focus on three key goals: earlier diagnoses, timely treatments, and equitable care for all.

A heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us yesterday—the Minister of Health, Deputy Ministers, Tbilisi City Hall, WHO Representative for Georgia, leaders from the medical community, patient organizations, and the private sector. Your commitment, enthusiasm, and resilience remain as strong as ever.

Great work Natia Verdzadze, Sophie Bussmann-Kemdjo, Alfredo Polo, Gvantsa Khizanishvili and all C/Can team!! Let’s keep building, cycle by cycle, until no one is left behind.”

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Isabel Mestres is the CEO of the City Cancer Challenge (C/Can), previously being the Director of Global Public Affairs. She also led initiatives in membership and partnership development at the International Union for Cancer Control. Mestres’ strategic sense positions her to propel C/Can forward, advancing its mission of enhancing cancer care accessibility in low- and middle-income nations.