Ilham Aliyev reviewed the Astara District Central Hospital after major overhaul

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has reviewed the Astara District Central Hospital after major overhaul.

First, President Ilham Aliyev met with representatives of the district public.

Greeting representatives of the district public and the hospital staff, President Ilham Aliyev said:

- We are gathered for the opening of the Central Hospital. We met here last year to celebrate the opening of the central building. Then I noticed that this building, the outpatient clinic and the emergency care department, were not renovated.

Of course, we could not tolerate that. Therefore, I issued the instruction to overhaul this building.

All the work has been done here now. Diagnostic equipment has been installed. The emergency care department and the outpatient clinic have been refurbished. Medical issues in Astara have been practically resolved. I remember meeting here last year. I am glad that these instructions are executed in a timely manner. One year on, we are meeting here again. I believe that all work should be carried out to the end. Nothing should remain incomplete, especially in the healthcare sector because this area is directly related to people's health. New health facilities are opening in various places throughout Azerbaijan. Today we have opened a large hospital in Jalilabad. Last week we marked the opening of a large hospital in Agjabadi and today in Astara. So there should be qualified medical services in every city. There are all the opportunities for qualified treatment in Astara now. The main thing is that people should apply to the diagnostic department in a timely manner.

I have been to Astara many times. This is my sixth visit over the past 10 years. Every time I take part in opening ceremonies and see something new. The city is getting prettier. Astara is a modern city now. Beautiful buildings, parks and alleys are built and conditions created for people’s comfort. I am particularly pleased with the construction of rural roads, as there was a great need for that. Two large projects are implemented in accordance with specific instructions. One has been realized. Last year we celebrated its completion. The other big project is being implemented now. As a result of these large projects, the roads leading to most villages will be in good condition. So this problem will be resolved in Astara. I believe that key issues will be resolved in the coming months, and the remaining rural roads will be brought to normal condition in subsequent years.

Other infrastructure projects were implemented in the district earlier. I remember a power station was built. Today this station serves the entire region. An Olympic Center was built. Last year we celebrated the opening of a Youth Center. So there were many opening ceremonies in Astara because a lot has been done. I am glad to see the results of all this work. Of course, there is still much to do in the future. The completion of major infrastructure projects makes me happy.

The drinking water project remains outstanding but preparatory work is under way. I believe that in the coming months we will begin the implementation of a large project. So the problem of drinking water and sanitation in the city of Astara will be fully resolved. Work in this direction is also under way in surrounding districts. This must also happen in Astara.

I am told that work on gasification is going well. The city is completely gasified. Every apartment and every household has natural gas. The villages have it too. But we must try to supply natural gas to every village. This project is also of great importance. So these are the main projects. The creation of infrastructure and social facilities is the main issue. Of course, in parallel with this, we need to resolve other issues – creation of jobs and the launch of new businesses. There is still much to do in this direction, so that our people have jobs, work well, get a good salary and live in prosperity and abundance.

Among all of this work, people’s health is in the foreground, of course. I am sure doctors provide patients with qualified services here. Now, thanks to the new equipment installed here, the level of these services should be even higher. I congratulate you on this wonderful event again.

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Doctor Aytan Shiriyeva expressed her gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev on behalf of local residents for the reconstruction of the health facility to modern standards and for attention being paid to the development of Astara District as a whole.

President Ilham Aliyev: Thank you. I am sure that you will provide qualified services here. Most doctors are young people. Young people are our future. Of course, patients should be looked after, taken care of and receive professional services.

It is no longer necessary to go from Astara to other places and other cities. All the examinations, diagnostics and treatment will be carried out here now. All the departments are available here now.

You know that, in general, the development of any country is measured not only by the development of its capital. Of course, Baku is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. This is seen both by Azerbaijani citizens and visitors of Baku.

But the development of the regions shows the real power of any state. The work ongoing in the regions of Azerbaijan in recent years proves that Azerbaijan is a strong state. There is development and creative work everywhere, in all the regions. I have traveled all over the country. I have been to every district several times. This is my sixth visit to Astara. I see that there is creative work throughout the country, not only in the cities but also in villages and settlements. It looks as though districts were competing with each other. But it is a healthy competition leading us to development. The public and activists of each district want their district to become even more attractive and better. This forms the basis of our success. Of course, the right decisions have been made. Two regional programs have been adopted. The second program is coming to an end. While visiting the regions, I issue further instructions. This live communication enables us to resolve all the issues. Of course, correct decisions are a factor that underlies our success. But at the same time, this success is further augmented by the initiatives of local people, their work and dedication to the country. Because the work done in Astara is the result, as they say, of your hard work. Our budget is increasing. The investment program is fairly extensive. Funds are allocated both from the state budget and the Contingency Fund of the President. But it is your job to maximize these financial opportunities. I am very pleased that the trend of creation and development in Azerbaijan over the last 10 years has been very strong. There is a great atmosphere in society. There is an atmosphere of creativity.

People in every region try to further strengthen our country by their work. The development of each region eventually determines the development of our country.

Astara District has a special place on the map of Azerbaijan. It is a border district, a district located far from Baku.

Therefore, it always needs to be in focus. This is and will be the case. The work we have been unable to complete up to now will be completed in the coming years. We know the problems, we will resolve them and all the infrastructure and social issues in Astara will be resolved at the highest level. I congratulate you again!

Then a picture was taken as a souvenir.

Minister of Health Ogtay Shiraliyev informed the President that the reconstruction of the medical establishment was started in May 2012 and was completed in August of this year. A total of 2 million manats were allocated from the Contingency Fund of the Presidentfor the major overhaul and the purchase of additional medical equipment.The repair and reconstruction work has been carried out on an area of10,674 square meters. The area around the hospital has been extensively landscaped. There is a modern infrastructure here. The first floor of the hospital houses an outpatient clinic, dialysis, radiology and emergency caredepartments, a laboratory, and a Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology. On the second floor there are offices, an outpatient clinic, and pediatric and physical therapydepartments. The medical facility has all the conditions for the provision of qualified care.