The biggest medical institution in Azerbaijan, the Baku Health Center, has been opened.
The opening ceremony was attended by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and his wife Mehriban Aliyeva.
The head of state cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the Center.
The healthcare sector has been experiencing a new phase of development in Azerbaijan in recent years. Under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, the country has comprehensively developed its health infrastructure in accordance with modern requirements, built new hospitals and upgraded the existing medical facilities. As a result of the targeted measures to improve the network and structure of medical institutions, which form an important component of healthcare reforms, great progress has been made in protecting public health and improving the quality of medical care.
To this end, nine state programs have been adopted to address priority areas of healthcare.
As an important element of the social policies conducted under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, public health institutions of the country have started to provide free-of-charge services. The focus is on the provision of free medicines and treatment of low-income persons and patients suffering from serious illnesses. Consistent measures have been taken to improve the quality of healthcare for mothers and children. To this end, six perinatal centers have been launched. As a result of the steps taken in the healthcare sector over the past 10 years, a total of almost 500 health facilities have been renovated and built. About 70 per cent of them are located in the regions. In addition, substantial progress has been made in recent years in the field of medical training and the development of medical education and medical science in the country.
The facilities available at the Baku Health Center are further evidence of the fact that the increasing economic strength of our country leads to greater attention being paid to the social sphere, and this process has become sustainable. It is no coincidence that the Concept of Azerbaijan’s Development "Azerbaijan 2020: Vision for the Future", approved by a decree of the President of Azerbaijan, also provides a dynamic increase in the proportion of funds allocated to healthcare in the gross domestic product, the establishment of mechanisms to ensure rational and purposeful use of these funds. The opening of a ski resort in Gabala and the Baku Health Center with the participation of President Ilham Aliyev in the early days of 2014 is one of the key indicators of state care about the development of the social sphere and public health in Azerbaijan.
President and his wife reviewed the Baku Health Center.
The Baku Health Center has been built by order of President Ilham Aliyev dated 6 August 2010. In July 2011, the head of state attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the center.
Health Minister Ogtay Shiraliyev informed President Ilham Aliyev and his wife Mehriban Aliyeva about the new medical facility. It was noted that the new medical facility covering an area of 50,000 square meters is designed for 550 beds.
The center is equipped with cutting-edge equipment. It incorporates the latest technological advances of the medical field. The center is fully suited for comprehensive examination and treatment under all branches of medicine. All departments are fitted with the most sophisticated medical equipment in the world. A significant proportion of this equipment is applied to the medical system in our country for the first time. An important place among the new appliances is occupied by a modern MRI unit, LED surgical illuminators and centralized sterilization system. There is computer tomography, digital X-ray and ultrasound machines and other modern medical devices. The center is also equipped with suspended surgical panels, tables, cameras and X-ray machines, as well as a pressure chamber, the central oxygen system, incubators for newborns and resuscitation equipment.
The President and his wife toured different departments of the health center and familiarized themselves with modern medical equipment.
It was noted that the center has excellent facilities for the examination and treatment of various diseases.
After getting acquainted with the Baku Health Center, President Ilham Aliyev met with the staff of doctors.
Saluting health workers, President Ilham Aliyev said:
- I cordially congratulate you on the opening of the Baku Health Center. It is a lovely center, the biggest medical facility built in the years of independence. The center for 550 patients has all the necessary facilities. It is the biggest center. It operates several departments. All of the major departments are available. Modern equipment is installed. In other words, there are all the opportunities for the provision of qualified medical services. I am confident that the doctors working here will treat patients with care and attention.
The construction of this center is a significant event. A lot has been done in Azerbaijan in recent years for the development of the healthcare sector. Modern hospitals and diagnostic centers have been built in all our districts. Hundreds of medical centers have been opened in recent years, providing the citizens of Azerbaijan with qualified services.
The establishment of such centers is a manifestation of the attention being paid to the social sphere in Azerbaijan. This sphere will continue to be a priority in 2014, because economic development and the growing economic potential of Azerbaijan allow us to pay even more attention to the social sphere.
Of course, the main direction of the social sphere is public health. This area is also given constant attention. The reforms in the field of healthcare in Azerbaijan are reflected in the statistics. Maternal and infant mortality has dramatically reduced. The World Health Organization commends the reforms under way in Azerbaijan. In other words, the establishment of modern medical facilities in the country, particularly in Baku, has acquired extensive proportions. I am confident that the medical facilities that are currently in need of repair will be renovated in the coming years and excellent conditions will be created in them.
I want to note again that we can rarely see the construction of such centers elsewhere in recent years, as the world is still going through an economic crisis. The economic situation in some countries is not too good. I can say that the construction of such major hospitals elsewhere in the world is a rare occasion. But such centers are and will be built in Azerbaijan. I remember laying the foundation of this building in this place. At that time there was a wasteland here. But in two and a half years we have built a wonderful facility.
I am confident that this center will provide citizens with qualified services. Of course, it also means the creation of new jobs for doctors. I am sure that it will be a pleasure for every doctor to work here because these conditions correspond to the highest international standards. Today is introducing its own standards in healthcare, particularly in terms of equipment, facilities and construction work.
But, of course, the main indicator of the healthcare system is the professionalism of doctors. I believe that there is still much to do in this area. There is still a lot to do both in terms of educating and advanced training of doctors. I am sure that all our doctors will follow the novelties in the field of healthcare in the world. Azerbaijan will apply the most advanced methods. Qualification must comply with these conditions. Then, I think, we can achieve the desired results in the healthcare sector in Azerbaijan.
But it is also true that effective use of the equipment available here will certainly produce great results because diagnosing should be carried out in a timely manner. There are all the possibilities for diagnosing here. Treatment should be administered correctly. A correct diagnosis must be determined. We must make sure that there is steady development in the field of public health in Azerbaijan.
I want to note again that healthcare and, in general, social services will remain a priority in 2014. We are meeting in the first week of 2014. I can say that in 2014 we have already opened two important facilities for our country. On 3 January we celebrated the opening of a modern ski center in Gabala. And today we are celebrating the opening of a health center here in Baku. If we consider that today is the first working day in 2014, we can say with certainty that there will be many opening ceremonies in 2014. I am confident that 2014 will be successful for our country and our people. We will meet all our goals. I want to congratulate you once again on the recent holidays and wish you continued success.
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In conclusion, a picture was taken as a souvenir.
