Ilham Aliyev attended the opening of a military hospital of the Ministry of National Security

President Ilham Aliyev has attended the opening of a military hospital of the Ministry of National Security.

National Security Minister Lt-Gen Eldar Mahmudov reported to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev.

The head of state unveiled the statue of nationwide leader Heydar Aliyev in the courtyard of the hospital. President Ilham Aliyev removed a white veil from the statue and laid flowers at it.

Then the President cut a ribbon symbolizing the opening of the hospital and reviewed the building.

In the lobby there are photo stands reflecting the care and attention of nationwide leader Heydar Aliyev and President Ilham Aliyev for the development of healthcare in the country.

National Security Minister Eldar Mahmudov informed the President of Azerbaijan that the equipment installed at the new military hospital was based on the latest achievements of medical science. The opening of the military hospital fitted with modern technical equipment is important in addressing social issues of employees of the Ministry of National Security.

The conditions available at the hospital will enable complex surgical operations, high-level examination and treatment.

It was noted that the 150-bed hospital has an out-patient department, a clinical laboratory, operating and intensive care units, an intensive therapy unit, departments of angiography, radiology and endoscopy. For the first time in the country, the hospital has generators producing medical oxygen. In addition, the building has a pneumatic tube and equipment for the disposal of medical wastes.

President Ilham Aliyev was informed that the total floor area of the hospital building is 34,500 square meters. The building consists of two underground and seven above-ground floors. There is a rooftop helipad meeting international standards and established in Azerbaijan for the first time. The medical establishment also has underground parking.

The area adjacent to the hospital has been landscaped and trees planted.

It was noted that the out-patient department has a reception, offices of primary care and specialized examination. The medical equipment in the offices enables prompt and accurate examination. The clinical laboratory is also fitted with modern equipment.

President Ilham Aliyev also reviewed the hospital’s conference room. Portraits of well-known doctors who have made exceptional contributions to the development of health services in Azerbaijan and information about them are posted on the walls. It was noted that the 120-seat conference hall is suited for hosting a variety of workshops, scientific and practical activities.

The hospital’s microbiology laboratory also meets modern standards. There are high-level facilities in apartments and VIP-wards. All the necessary measures have been taken to ensure treatment, recreation and good leisure of patients.

The hospital has 10 VIP-wards. A winter garden will also be made available. All departments of the hospital have the latest equipment and medical devices.

The President was informed that the conditions available at the hospital will enable doctors to conduct cardiac, trauma, orthopedic, general, urology, ENT and other operations based on the latest advances in medicine. The intensive care and intensive therapy units are also well suited to provide qualified medical care. The medical establishment has 48 double and 17 single wards. It will operate such technological innovations as the Wi-Fi Internet network, IP TV and a system for calling in medical staff. The department of radiology has medical equipment of the latest generation: three units of magnetic resonance imaging, a computed tomography unit, an X-ray machine, a densitometer, a mammograph, ultrasound scanners and other equipment. In short, the military hospital of the Ministry of National Security has perfect opportunities for the effective examination and treatment of patients.

After reviewing the hospital, President Ilham Aliyev met with employees of Ministry of National Security and of the medical institution.

Saluting the ceremony participants, President Ilham Aliyev said:

- Having reviewed all the departments of the hospital of the National Security Ministry, I see that it is built on a high level and meets the highest standards. It has the latest equipment, i.e. there are excellent conditions and opportunities for the provision of qualified medical service. Both the external appearance and the interior design are beautiful. So I can say that this hospital is a medical institution of a global scale. I am very pleased with that because, as you know, modern medical institutions have been established throughout our country – in Baku and the regions – in recent years. The goal is that every city should have the conditions to provide qualified medical service. Hundreds of hospitals and health centers have been built. People are provided with qualified medical service in our country. Of course, further measures will be taken to improve the health system. The out-patient clinic, the diagnosing, surgery, therapy departments, the laboratories have the latest equipment. In short, there are excellent facilities for examination and treatment.

I want to congratulate you on this wonderful event. I am very pleased that employees of the National Security Ministry finally have their own excellent medical center. I know that you used other facilities before. But the time has come for you to have such a wonderful medical center. It is really necessary, as it shows the development of our country. There are wonderful opportunities to protect the health of Ministry of National Security employees.

On arrival here, we attended the opening of a statue of nationwide leader Heydar Aliyev together. This is natural because the great leader has played an enormous role in shaping national security bodies of Azerbaijan. A significant portion of his life was linked to security bodies. The great leader always recalled that period of his life with great love. Those were the years of his youth. At the same time, he has also contributed a lot to the security service.

Heydar Aliyev, who led Azerbaijan in the 1970s and early 1980s, certainly used his national security experience in everything he did. It was no coincidence that two years after the declaration of independence the people of Azerbaijan called on the great leader and entrusted their fate to him. Experience has shown that this was the only right thing to do because we all remember the developments unfolding in Azerbaijan in the early 1990s. Young doctors may not remember that. But we all remember, security services remember that 1991, 1992 and 1993 were truly tragic and very dangerous years, as our independence was about to be lost. But the determination, courage and wisdom of the great leader saved our people and country from a major disaster and our country has been on the path of development since 1993. National security bodies have played a huge role in this development.

Coup attempts, military confrontation, instigation of civil war in the mid-1990s significantly undermined our independence. Thanks to the activities of national security bodies in those years, especially in recent years, major steps were taken, criminal gangs neutralized, and normal and safe life of citizens ensured.

The specificity of your ministry is that sometimes your work is not really in the public domain. This is natural, this is the specificity of intelligence agencies in any country of the world. But both you and I, as Commander-in-Chief, know how much you have done, how much dedication and professionalism you have put in for our citizens to live in peace.

In recent years the Azerbaijani state and national security bodies have given an adequate response to the attempted acts of terror and sabotage against Azerbaijan and representatives of foreign espionage networks. The successful development of the Azerbaijani state and a peaceful life of the Azerbaijani people have been ensured.

The Ministry of National Security is experiencing a period of development. Professionalism is growing. But, unfortunately, so is the number of negative facts, although the Ministry of National Security identifies and thwarts them. This shows that the number of sabotage attempts against Azerbaijan is also growing.

This is natural. Because our country is developing. Azerbaijan pursues an independent policy. Not all foreign circles are impressed with that. But we go our own way. The Ministry works successfully and professionally to protect our path and us from danger. I am sure that this level will be maintained in the future too. Professionalism is growing. At the same time, employees of intelligence bodies are patriots, people attached to their country and its independence. Also, in contrast to previous years, the level of technical equipment is incomparably better now. Our technical capabilities are such that we can prevent any provocation planned against us. We have created these opportunities ourselves.

Technical equipment, professionalism, thought-out work, prompt measures and our international connections and contacts have, of course, led to the current situation. The Ministry of National Security carries out its functions with honor and dignity. I must note that we also observe global developments and contribute to the strengthening of security in the region. This, of course, cannot be discussed openly. But I should note that Azerbaijan and its security forces are making a valuable contribution to peace and stability in the region.

Of course, all housing issues of employees of the Ministry of National Security must be and are resolved. You know that well. These issues are considered and resolved every year. Today this beautiful medical center is passed on to your disposal. I hope you don’t have to use it very often. But life is such that it is impossible to do without it. I repeat the same words at the opening of each hospital, especially in the regions. I want to say it today too: I want every citizen to be examined once a year and try to stay healthy. Your health is necessary for our people and state.

My congratulations again!

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Addressing the ceremony, National Security Minister Eldar Mahmudov said:

- Dear Mr. President!

Mr. Commander-in-Chief!

On behalf of all our personnel I express our deep appreciation to you for attending the opening of the hospital of the Ministry of National Security. You have very successfully continued the domestic and foreign policy laid down by great leader Heydar Aliyev. All spheres of life in our country are going through a period of development. The government reform, including the formation of the National Security Ministry’s structure, the strengthening of its material and technical logistics, solution of social problems, are always in the focus of your attention. Azerbaijan is implementing major projects today. The opening of this hospital is one of them. Its construction and logistical support have been in your focus from the very first day.

Mr. President, this hospital will be used by employees security services and their families. This means that they can receive qualified medical care and necessary treatment.

I want to thank you very much again on behalf of all our staff. I want to assure you that all your instructions and orders will be immediately fulfilled by our personnel. Thank you very much.

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Then a picture was taken.