Ilham Aliyev attended the opening of a Hemodialysis Center in Tovuz

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended the opening of a Hemodialysis Center in Tovuz.

The head of state cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the healthcare facility.

It was noted that the protection of public health as part of the socially-oriented policy laid down by great leader Heydar Aliyev and successfully continued by President Ilham Aliyev is one of the priorities for the Azerbaijani government. The annual increase of budget allocations for healthcare has laid the groundwork for improving the activities of healthcare facilities and the quality of medical services. The development of healthcare in Azerbaijan is also one of the main directions of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and its President Mehriban Aliyeva. One of the achievements of Azerbaijani healthcare over the past few years has been the improved level of healthcare services in the districts. In particular, the construction of referral hospitals and other healthcare facilities in the regions has created favorable conditions for the proper organization of diagnosing and treatment of patients. Particular attention has been paid to patients with renal insufficiency in recent years. This is confirmed by the construction of a hemodialysis center in Tovuz.

During familiarization with the center, the President was informed that the construction of the three-storey facility began on 24 September 2008. The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by President Ilham Aliyev. The construction of the hemodialysis center was carried out in accordance with modern technologies and best practices.

In the lobby of the medical institution there is a stand with photographs reflecting the merits of nationwide leader Heydar Aliyev, President Ilham Aliyev and the President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Mehriban Aliyeva, in the development of the healthcare in the country. The hemodialysis center operates an emergency, hemodialysis and diagnostics departments.

President Ilham Aliyev reviewed the hemodialysis department.

It was noted that 20 modern hemodialysis units are available at the center.

It was indicated that there are 2,208 hemodialysis patients in Azerbaijan now. All of them receive free-of-charge treatment and are fully provided with appropriate medications. The services of the hemodialysis center can be used by patients suffering from renal insufficiency and living in the western region of Azerbaijan. In general, there are 308 hemodialysis patients in the western region. Until now, patients from Tovuz and Gazakh Districts have been using the services of a hemodialysis center in Ganja. The launch of the new center will save patients from the need to travel to Baku and other regions of the country for hemodialysis sessions.

It was noted that nearly 160 patients will be receiving hemodialysis sessions at the Tovuz hemodialysis center in two shifts. The available conditions allow for examination and treatment of patients at the highest level. The opening of this medical institution is yet another success of the measures being taken by the government to bring the healthcare system in the country to the latest standards.

After reviewing the medical facility, the President met with its staff and representatives of the local public. President Ilham Aliyev said:

- I am again in Tovuz again today and am very happy to be here with you. We met last year too. I have repeatedly visited Tovuz in recent years. Some wonderful opening ceremonies and events are taking place here today. Of course, a special place among them belongs to the opening of the diagnosing and hemodialysis center.

I remember laying the foundation of the center together with you and am very glad that a great medical facility has emerged here. All the conditions are available here. It is called the Center for Hemodialysis, but there are also opportunities for diagnosing, treatment and surgery. It is a major medical center, and I believe that our citizens should use it effectively. Of course, first of all, preventive measures must be carried out. Diagnosing is the main condition for treatment. I always say this in opening ceremonies of health facilities and let me note again: people should undergo timely checkups so that they can take care of their health.

The human factor is the priority of our policy. The opening of such centers shows that a very strong social policy is being implemented in Azerbaijan. The construction of such diagnostic and treatment centers has become widespread. More than 500 medical centers have been built in Azerbaijan over the past 10 years, and we can say now that there are opportunities for providing qualified medical services in all the regions. The equipment meets the latest standards.

Besides, all the hospitals are beautiful from the architectural point of view, spacious and comfortable. We can say that there is not a single region in Azerbaijan that would not have a modern medical facility. We set exactly this goal: people in every residential settlement, city and district center should be able to receive qualified medical services. I am glad that such a center has been created and is being commissioned in Tovuz.

I can say that, in general, good results have been achieved in healthcare in recent years. This is said by us and is also acknowledged by international organizations, including the World Health Organization which is dealing with these issues on a global scale. The European Conference of the organization held in Baku last year noted that Azerbaijan had made great strides in the healthcare sector. This is confirmed by statistical data as well. There are a number of criteria attesting to the effectiveness of the healthcare system. Life expectancy – Azerbaijan has achieved progress in this area – is growing, while infant mortality is reducing. Infant mortality has always been a big problem for us. Even today this problem is not being addressed at the proper level. So are still a little behind developed countries. But I believe that the establishment of such centers and the adoption of other measures should enable us to rise to the level of leading countries in this field. Other indicators suggest that we have achieved good results in improving the healthcare system.

But we can’t be completely happy with this sphere. Of course, we seek to build modern centers, to purchase equipment and spend significant resources. But in some cases the quality of services does not satisfy us, and we should work even harder on these issues.

I am sure that the services to be provided here must be at a high level. This center will become operational in the near future. There are opportunities to start operating it now. There should be a good staff of doctors here to provide qualified services to the residents of Tovuz District. The factors required for human health are known. First of all, diagnosing and treatment should be conducted in a timely manner. At the same time, of course, the environment should be good. From this point of view there are no problems in Tovuz. The environmental situation here is good. Drinking water has to be clean, and today we will celebrate the commissioning of a water supply project in Tovuz. This, I believe, is also a great event. In addition, of course, there should be quality food. We are paying attention to this issue. Relevant authorities are monitoring the situation in the consumer market. I believe that there is progress in this direction too. A role is played by other factors as well, including sport, which is also a very important issue. A sports center has been in operation in Tovuz for several years. So all these factors contribute to human health! At the same time, there are issues of material well-being. Over the past few years we have seen a good momentum in all these areas in Azerbaijan. Policies in all these directions are carried out not only in Tovuz, but also in any region. At the end of this year we will complete the second state program on the socioeconomic development of the regions, and all the issues stipulationed in it are being resolved.

We have fairly clear plans for the future. In the coming years, Azerbaijan, of course, must and will grow even faster. All infrastructure projects have to be completed in the near future. I can say that things are going well in this direction in Tovuz. Today, before coming here, we attended the opening of a new road connecting villages. This has been is a second large project to be implemented in Tovuz. The first project was completed last year. And this has been a second project. So these roads linking about 80 villages have already been put into operation. Roads mean development, life and comfort. I also want to say that all of these projects are of a purely social nature. None of these projects is commercial. The investment made in these projects is investment in human capital. This center, the drinking water project, the construction of rural roads, the Olympic center! The construction of schools has become widespread in Tovuz. All of these projects are for the people, for our country and for you, and the government is obliged to pursue this policy. Azerbaijan has a very serious policy in this direction. I have said this repeatedly and I want to say it again: these are not just nice words - Azerbaijani citizens, their health, security, well-being and comfort are at the heart of all our politics.

Every time I feel very happy during such the opening ceremonies, but at the same time I think about what more we can do. When I was in Tovuz last time, I asked the head of the local Executive Authority and MPs: what else do we need to do?

They proposed a project on rural roads, and we are implementing it now. I want to ask you now: what more do we need to do to make things even better here? You probably have some ideas about that.

Head of the Tovuz District Executive Authority Tofig Zeynalov: We have to work even better, Mr. President.

President Ilham Aliyev: Of course, everyone has to work hard and fulfill his duties - citizens, representatives of executive authorities, other activists. Our goal is to make Azerbaijan an even stronger state, so that all the work in Azerbaijan is carried out at a high level.

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President Ilham Aliyev: You have mentioned 2008. I did use the phrase: everything must be in line with world standards.

But the point is that world standards have slightly declined over the past five years, while Azerbaijani standards have improved. I can say that such centers should serve as an example for any developed country. I think this is the case.

I have been to different parts of the world and, of course, have examined the situation. I can say that such beautiful healthcare centers, including architecturally, are not built in every country. All facilities under government control are built with great taste and skill in Azerbaijan. At the same time, such facilities adorn cities. This center too has good architectural design. The conditions available here and indeed in all our medical institutions, as well as the equipment purchased, meet the highest standards. I always say that we should have the best conditions. Azerbaijani citizens regardless of the region of their residence should be able to use the most qualified services. Therefore, we have built schools like palaces. The hospitals, roads and other facilities we have built are also at a high level. In the past few years I have been talking more about Azerbaijani standards. If we pay attention to the developments unfolding in the world, the ongoing political and economic events, we can see that Azerbaijani standards should serve as an example for many countries today. The stability and development observed even in the crisis years are not available anywhere else. The stability and public order existing in Azerbaijan are a reality. We, the citizens of Azerbaijan, are accustomed to this reality.

But this is not exactly the case everywhere. We see on TV and learn from other sources about the major problems existing everywhere in the world. There are very unpleasant events on every continent. Azerbaijan looks like an island of stability and solidarity. The main reason is the fact that the work carried out in Azerbaijan is not only supported by the people – the people are directly involved in this development. All of this work pursues one goal: to protect the interests of Azerbaijan, create even better conditions, improve material well-being, protect and enhance the state independence of the country and further strengthen our standing in the region.

I believe that we have largely achieved these goals in recent years. These goals were set in 2003. I believe that the work done in the last 10 years is worthy of approval. But, of course, it has to be assessed by you. I am just striving and will continue to strive to serve you, the citizens of Azerbaijan. When I see that there has been a great result, of course, I feel just as happy as you. Thank you.