Ilham Aliyev attended the opening of the Shabran Central District Hospital

President Ilham Aliyev has attended the opening of the Shabran Central District Hospital.

Health Minister Ogtay Shiraliyev informed the head of state that the country’s healthcare sector was receiving great attention and renewing in line with modern standards. Azerbaijan’s healthcare sector is currently in its heyday. All hospitals and health facilities in the country are being renovated in line with modern requirements, while their material and technical facilities are updated with the equipment meeting the latest technological standards. Modern health facilities and diagnosing centers are established both in the capital and remote districts of the republic these days. This attests to the importance the government is attaching to public health.

President Ilham Aliyev cut a ribbon symbolizing the opening of the Shabran Central District Hospital.

It was indicated that the construction of a new building for the hospital was evidence of the fact that state attention to the development of the healthcare sector was sustainable. The construction of the three-storey hospital commenced in October 2008. The total area of the building is 5,117 square meters. Construction work was carried out on the basis of modern technologies and best practices.

The President was informed that there is a maternity department and an out-patient clinic on the first floor of the 80-bed hospital. There are X-ray, ultrasound scanning, dentist, otolaryngologist and therapist offices here. All the offices are fitted with state-of-the-art equipment. The hospital has therapeutic and pediatric, surgical, anesthesiology and intensive care units. These departments also utilize the latest technologies and cutting-edge medical equipment. The availability of modern equipment enables the best level of medical examination and treatment.

It was indicated that a total of 60 doctors and 140 nurses would provide services at the Shabran Central District Hospital.

The commissioning of this hospital represents yet another success of the efforts President Ilham Aliyev has been making to bring the country’s healthcare sector into line with modern standards. These activities carried out at the initiative of the President have opened up extensive opportunities for further development of Azerbaijan’s public health system.

After familiarization with the Shabran Central District Hospital, the President met with local public figures and health workers.

Congratulating the medical workers and representatives of the public on the opening of a new hospital building, President Ilham Aliyev said:

Let me warmly congratulate you on the opening of this wonderful hospital. It is a very nice hospital. Both its appearance and the interior design are beautiful. At the same time, it has different and modern equipment.

I am sure that doctors will enjoy working here. Of course, the hospital must provide quality medical services, patients must be looked after well.

I am very pleased that such a beautiful and modern hospital has been built in Shabran District. The doctors working here certainly remember the condition of the former hospital. Now there is a world-class medical center with all the opportunities to provide quality medical services. All departments are available: beautiful maternity, surgical and pediatric departments, other departments, the intensive care unit. I am very pleased that such excellent hospitals are opening in all Azerbaijan districts.

This shows the strength and policies of our country. Because our policies are socially oriented.

The citizen of Azerbaijan is at the center of our policies.

Health is important to people. Doctors are well aware of the factors contributing to good health. There are a number of factors, and medical service, of course, holds a special place among them. The timely detection of a disease, the correct diagnosis and proper treatment are crucial to the health of people and patients. At the same time, work is under way in other areas to improve public health. A very important role is played by the environment. The environmental situation in Shabran District is very good. But we want to see a favorable environmental situation in all Azerbaijani districts. Drinking water is very important to human health. These projects have already been launched in every district, including Shabran. The head of the executive authority has informed me that drinking water and sanitation projects are already being implemented.

We are paying attention to the issue of nutrition. At present, control is exercised over the consumer market. People must do sports to be healthy. Look how many sports facilities our country has!

I want to reiterate: the Azerbaijani government is and will be doing everything necessary to improve public health. This is clearly evidenced by the opening of such a magnificent, beautiful and modern hospital in Shabran. I am very pleased that, overall, things are going well in the district, that there is improvement. The district has a great potential. Shabran is one of Azerbaijan’s oldest places. The historical monuments located here, the ruins of the ancient city of Shabran, Chiraggala and other monuments are an indication of Azerbaijan’s rich culture. The Azerbaijani government is very attentive to its past, the historical and cultural heritage, these monuments are being preserved.

This is our national asset. Along with this, further measures should be taken in the district to develop tourism. I know that the place of therapeutic recreation Galaalti, which was well-known in Soviet times, must also be renovated, and there will be an even bigger influx of tourists here. Infrastructure projects are being implemented, gasification carried out, roads laid and new enterprises put into operation in the district. All this is necessary for our country and people. I want people to have a decent life everywhere, in every district in order to make even more progress in all the spheres, in the social and economic fields.

The construction of hospitals in Azerbaijan has gained momentum. We can say that we have already resolved basic issues in this region. Hospitals have been built in Siyazan, Khizi, and now in Shabran, Guba. A large hospital is currently under construction in Gusar. In Khachmaz it is already finished. So our main health objectives to the north of Baku, in this entire region, have been met. Of course, we will continue considering construction of dispensaries, medical and health facilities in the future too. But we have succeeded in finding a fundamental solution to this issue in all other regions too.

Hospitals, medical and diagnostic centers are now under construction in every region, there is a major health center in Baku. Several months ago we laid the foundation of it and allocated funds. Funds are also envisaged in the next year's budget. I am told that a beautiful center is being built. These are specific results of our policy. Our policy is socially oriented. I want to reiterate: the main objective of our social policy is to strengthen Azerbaijan and improve the well-being of the Azerbaijani people.

Let me heartily congratulate you on this remarkable occasion and wish you good health. I am sure you will look after patients well and work successfully in these great conditions.

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Thanking President Ilham Aliyev for the great attention and care of Shabran, a local resident, medical worker Samaya Guvvatova, said:

Dear Mr. President, welcome to the ancient land of Shabran! Shabran is experiencing the most joyful days in its history today. As a medical professional, I am proud that such a beautiful hospital with modern facilities has been built in the district on your instruction and is now put at the disposal Shabran residents.

The medical personnel who will be using this modern equipment were also involved in its installation.

We, health workers, can see that the medical equipment of the new hospital represents the latest models of the world’s public health technology. I can say with certainty that it is highly unlikely for a small population center in any other country of the world to have a medical facility equipped to such modern standards. All this is a manifestation of your power, dear Mr. President, of your care and love of the nation, people and country.

Mr. President, you and First Lady of Azerbaijan, the President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, MP Mehriban Aliyeva always pay special attention to the construction of new schools, kindergartens, health facilities and sports centers in our country, and constantly follow progress of this work. We know that your main wish, task and objective are to see our future generation healthy and educated.

Dear Mr. President, when speaking at the opening ceremonies of various health facilities, diagnostic centers and hospitals throughout Azerbaijan you advise us, doctors and health workers, to conduct medical examination of citizens at least once a year. I must admit that we could not adequately cope with this task in our previous hospital because it was located in unsuitable buildings, our medical equipment was outdated and did not meet modern health standards. But now, thanks to your care, help and attention, Shabran District has resolved this and all other problems. Now there is such a grand, beautiful and new hospital that meets modern standards, and residents can use its services. For this, Mr. President, we would like to express our boundless appreciation to you and the First Lady of Azerbaijan, MP Mehriban Aliyeva, who is our colleague, on behalf of the people of Shabran and health professionals. We assure you that we will proudly carry out our duties in this wonderful hospital you have presented to us, will safeguard public health and do everything possible to provide people with quality medical services. To do this, we will multiply our efforts, knowledge and skills.

Dear Mr. President, thanks to your attention and care, our native Shabran, just like the rest of Azerbaijan, is developing rapidly. As a result, important creative and landscaping work has been under way in our district in recent years. Our district is reviving and modernizing. The large water reservoir, the hydro power plant under construction in the district and the Baku-Russian border highway meeting international standards are demonstrating to the world how powerful Azerbaijan has become thanks to your tireless efforts, Mr. President.

Mr. President, your current historic visit to Shabran District has reinforced our hopes of the future, of tomorrow, and inspired us to further achievements and successes.

The beautiful Heydar Aliyev Center, the Center for Children's Art, the Local History Museum and the Culture Center, the opening of which we have celebrated with your participation today, are the facilities the people of Shabran will use.
All this, dear Mr. President, has been possible and yielded fruit thanks to your hard work, your care about the country and the state, and your special attention to the economic development of districts.

We will never forget your historic visit to Shabran District. In the name of sustainable prosperity and happy life of our native republic, we are asking the Almighty to send our dear President, his wife and family many years of life and the biggest asset, health. May the Almighty always help and protect you.

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President Ilham Aliyev: Thank you. I have repeatedly visited Shabran District, came here several times to study the situation. I can say that the district is indeed growing very rapidly. As you have mentioned, I have participated in several fine opening ceremonies today. The Heydar Aliyev Center, the Local History Museum, the Center for Children's Art, the Culture Center, this beautiful hospital. After this, I will examine the construction of the Takhtakorpu water reservoir, which holds an important place among major infrastructure projects of our country.

Four years ago I personally laid the foundation of this great facility. I am very glad that things are going well there. This project has vast, even invaluable importance for Shabran District, for the entire northern zone and for our country. As a result of its implementation, more than 100,000, perhaps even 150,000 hectares of land will be watered. Irrigation will improve. This will give an impetus to agricultural development. With the development of agriculture people will earn and produce more. The construction of the Takhtakorpu water reservoir, the canal and the hydro power plant are among the biggest projects carried out in Azerbaijan.

Now our country is implementing major infrastructure projects. Roads are built. As you have noted, the Baku-Russian border road has been laid. The road to Shabran has become so beautiful and comfortable now!

Previously, all the trucks used to drive through the city. The head of the executive authority has repeatedly raised this issue. I knew that myself. I have repeatedly driven along that road. The road through Shabran, Siyazan, was dangerous to people and children, it was causing difficulty. In addition, it was a narrow two-lane road. We have moved this four-lane road outside the city.

The head of the Shabran District executive authority, Novruz Novruzov: Yes, the biggest four-lane bridge in the country is in Shabran. This is a historical monument.

President Ilham Aliyev: The biggest bridge is in Shabran. Last time we examined its construction and then attended its opening. So there are roads, bridges and landscaping. The Takhtakorpu water reservoir is a masterpiece. Not many people know this because it is far away. There is no access there, work is under way. But I am sure that after completion of this project the place will become a tourist attraction. The climate there will change. Just imagine that a large lake will be created in the mountains. It is hard to describe it. I am sure that after the opening the people of Shabran and all other districts will be able to go and see it.

These are Azerbaijan’s realities. This hospital, the work carried out in the district show that there is development in every field – infrastructure, social and economic areas.

Development should become even more intense. Azerbaijan is moving forward, moving forward successfully, growing and gaining strength. Thus, we are meeting all our objectives.

Let me heartily congratulate you on this wonderful event again. I wish you success and good health.

Thank you.

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A picture was taken in the end.