Ilham Aliyev attended the opening of the Agjabadi Central District Hospital

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended the opening of the Agjabadi Central District Hospital.

The head of state met with representatives of the district public and medical personnel.

Greeting the ceremony participants, President Ilham Aliyev said:

- Looking from the side, I can say that a beautiful facility has been built in Agjabadi. First of all, this hospital is worthy of Agjabadi and the Karabakh land. At the same time, it demonstrates the power of the Azerbaijani state.

This hospital is not inferior to the hospitals of developed countries. The minister has just said that all the departments are available here.

All the necessary measures have been taken. The most modern equipment has been installed. There are maternity, surgical, diagnostics and dialysis departments here. In other words, it is a medical center that fully meets all international standards. I am glad that such a wonderful hospital has been put in place in a short time and that starting from today it will provide citizens with quality services. The services must also be at a high level. I am sure that this will be the case. The professionalism and experience of doctors are enhancing. Various measures are being taken to this end.

At the same time, programs are being implemented to improve the healthcare system. International organizations also commend the work being done in Azerbaijan in this field.

Reforms are under way. The World Health Organization has given a very high assessment to the work done in Azerbaijan in this field. The international healthcare events held in Baku some time ago have emphasized that Azerbaijan has been making great progress in the healthcare sphere. Statistics also shows that infant mortality is reducing and life expectancy increasing.

Of course, the construction of such beautiful and magnificent hospitals in the regions is a great contribution to public health. We have become accustomed to the construction of modern hospitals in Baku. Dozens of medical institutions have been built and renovated in Baku. But this level should not be any lower in the regions. This beautiful medical facility is evidence that medical services in the regions should also be provided at the highest level. The citizens of Azerbaijan must be healthy. Azerbaijani citizens must lead a healthy lifestyle. Of course, diagnosing and early detection of a disease is the main condition for public health.

This is why diagnostic centers have been built in the regions. At the same time, in parallel with this, central district hospitals are built and renovated in every city. At the present time, I can say that most of our district centers and cities are already providing qualified medical services. This process continues. About 500 medical centers have been built in Azerbaijan over the past 10 years. Major funds have been invested and even more will be invested in the future. I repeat that diagnostics and treatment are, of course, crucial to public health.

There was a time when we did not have the opportunities. Now we do have the opportunities. And we are channeling these opportunities into the necessary spheres. The program on the transformation of the oil capital into the human capital manifests itself on the example of this hospital. Azerbaijan conducts a sound economic policy.

Our oil strategy is successfully implemented. All our revenues are spent on improving the welfare of the Azerbaijani people, strengthening our economy and reinforcing the international standing of our country.

This is why Azerbaijan is one of a handful of countries that have not been affected by the global financial and economic recession. Our economy kept growing in the crisis years and is still growing this year. In particular, our non-oil sector is growing – there has been an increase of over 10 per cent. Wages and pensions keep rising in the crisis years. We can see and learn from the media that some countries are facing economic difficulties. We can say that countries are becoming bankrupt and impoverished, cutting jobs, salaries and pensions. But our situation is completely different. Our economy is growing. Public investment is increasing, pensions and salaries are rising, investment is made in the social infrastructure, and there is construction of such excellent hospitals. We will continue to do so in the future.

Specific measures on the development of Agjabadi will continue to be taken in the future. A great job has been done in Agjabadi in recent years. A special place among what has been done is held by this hospital.

Other projects have been implemented. Buildings, parks, highways, rural roads are built and funds are allocated to this end. In the coming years, work in this direction will be continued. All infrastructure projects will be fully implemented, including those on drinking water and gasification. The construction of rural roads will be continued.

A great deal is being done to create jobs here. When I was here last time, I reviewed a dairy enterprise. Today I will become familiar with the operation of a livestock breeding farm. In other words, the creation of jobs, regional development and the overall establishment of the social infrastructure contribute to the development of Azerbaijan. This is a sustainable, long-lasting and successful development which is producing excellent results.

Let me repeat that the construction of such a fine hospital in the land of Karabakh is primarily a manifestation of the government's care about the people. At the same time, it demonstrates the power of the Azerbaijani state.

There will come a time when such beautiful facilities and hospitals will be built on the lands that are currently under occupation. We will definitely go back to our lands, restore our territorial integrity and rebuild all our cities. I am confident that the "Great Return" program will be implemented in a short time, all the infrastructure, including buildings, hospitals, schools and workplaces, will be opened. The work that is currently under way on liberated territories, especially in Fizuli District, shows that we can carry out the entire restoration work in a short time. Currently, 20,000 internally displaced persons are provided with modern houses and apartments each year. In other words, it is possible to say that we are building and providing for the disposal of refugees settlements, houses and apartments commensurate with a city every year. Therefore, after the liberation of our lands from occupation, the entire infrastructure will be restored in a short time, and a new life will be breathed into the lands that are now under occupation.

And this hospital will serve residents of the district. I do hope that residents of the district will undergo examination at least once a year. I repeat these words at the opening of each hospital. I believe that this is necessary. Medical science is developing so fast nowadays that any disease can be cured – it is only necessary to detect it on time. Previously, the equipment was not available. Our country had only one CT scanner and a few dialysis machines. Now, every health facility in the region and elsewhere has the most sophisticated equipment. Let every citizen dedicate just one day a year to this and have his health examined. If there is a problem, let them receive treatment, if there isn’t, let them live on quietly. The people receiving treatment at the dialysis centers, diagnostic centers and district hospitals can see that it is possible to avoid major problems in case of timely treatment. Statistics also shows that those receiving treatment are cured, and the dynamics is also positive. Of course, a lot depends on the professionalism of doctors. Doctors also need to constantly improve their knowledge, because modern medical science is developing fast.

Work will continue to be done in Agjabadi in the future too. The entire infrastructure work will be carried out so that people here could live comfortably. Let me greet you all once again. I am very glad to come to the native Karabakh land again. I wish you every success. I want you to be healthy but also to apply to this hospital.

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

Health Minister Ogtay Shiraliyev said that according to a Resolution of the President dated 30 March 2010, a total of 5 million manats was allocated to the Ministry of Health from the Contingency Fund of the President for the construction of the central district hospital for 205 beds.

The construction of the medical facility started in May 2011 and was completed in August of this year.

The hospital, covering an area of 3.9 hectares, consists of five buildings and a department of infectious diseases. The new medical facility will operate a surgery unit, a surgery and emergency care department, departments on obstetrics, gynaecology, observation, otorhinolaryngology, cardiology, therapy, paediatrics, child therapy, haemodialysis, and roentgen diagnostics, an out-patient clinic and a children’s clinic, a conference hall, a laboratory, a laundry and other ancillary services..

The hospital is fully suited for the provision of high-level medical examination and treatment. The building is equipped with all the necessary communications. An area of 19,000 square meters around the medical facility has been asphalted and an area of 11,000 square meters landscaped.