Speech by İlham Aliyev at the opening of a Training and Surgical Clinic of the Azerbaijan Medical University

- It is a remarkable day today. We are gathered for the opening of the city Training and Surgical Clinic of the Azerbaijan Medical University in Baku. I congratulate you on this wonderful event! I congratulate all the teachers and students of the Azerbaijan Medical University!

It is a beautiful center and an excellent medical facility. I have reviewed various departments of the center. I can see again that work in the field of healthcare in Azerbaijan is done at a high level.

I remember laying the foundation of this clinic three years ago. At that time, three years ago, we also celebrated the opening of a therapeutic training clinic. The rector and the teaching staff expressed the need for building a surgical clinic as well. Initially, funds were allocated from the Contingency Fund of the President. After that, the construction of this beautiful medical center was financed from the state budget for a few years. I can say that this center holds a special place among medical centers established in Azerbaijan in recent years. This clinic stands out for its beauty, architecture and functional features.

The establishment of such a clinic at the time pursued two objectives. First of all, it was a matter of raising the educational process at the Azerbaijan Medical University to an even higher level. At the same time, the task was set of bringing together all of the surgical departments. We have achieved that. At the same time, we achieved the establishment of a modern medical center in Azerbaijan. So it is a place where two important areas for our country, education and healthcare, are connected. The entire work is organized at the highest level here. The most sophisticated equipment is installed. There are excellent conditions and a very nice building. There are excellent conditions for doctors and students here. And this is the way it should be because Azerbaijan is successfully and rapidly developing. All the problems facing the country are being addressed, including those in the areas of healthcare and education. In recent years, we have built about 500 medical centers. These centers cover all regions of the country. There are diagnostic centers in 15 cities. We can say that there are excellent conditions for high-quality medical services everywhere in our country. The material and technical logistics of healthcare is strengthening. I am sure that all our cities will have excellent clinics in the next year or two.

Modern hospitals have been opened in several cities of our country in the last two weeks. I can say that the hospitals opened in the districts are also provided with the most modern equipment and meet the highest standards. The Azerbaijan Medical University is a higher educational institution which plays a special role in the training of doctors in our country. This university has a great history and great traditions, and I am sure it has a bright future because independent Azerbaijan is increasing expenditure on the healthcare sector and strengthening the material and technical infrastructure of public health. Of course, the level of health services should also improve under such circumstances.

The university has a very experienced and knowledgeable teaching staff. Of course, your knowledge is passed on to the younger generation. We must make sure that the younger generation and young doctors can keep track of all the processes occurring in the field of healthcare in the world. There are opportunities and computer rooms to do that. I am sure it is also possible to establish a direct link with various universities. There are perfect conditions for observing operations.

So our young doctors should be aware of all the progressive innovations in the field of healthcare in the world because medical science is developing rapidly in today's world. Doctors know this better than anyone. Today, many of the diseases which were once incurable can be treated if detected on time. The diagnostic instruments, the computed tomography, the MRI, the modern X-ray machines can detect any disease at an early stage and establish the correct diagnosis. The presence of these devices is an important step in the process of correct diagnosing. Of course, treatment must also be correct.

So the successful development of medical science is also a direct contribution to public health. We should try to apply the latest innovations and inventions in this area to Azerbaijan. We have to be ready for that. The logistics and the available modern equipment make this possible. The professionalism and knowledge of doctors should be increased. Doctors should always work hard to be more educated and knowledgeable.

We need to make sure that any complicated operations can be carried out in Azerbaijan. I can say that we have been able to achieve that in recent years. The most complex cardiovascular operations and organ transplantations are now carried out in Azerbaijan. However, it is no secret that some people, especially those well-off, still go abroad for treatment. We have to create conditions for this not to be necessary. Azerbaijan should have the medical service of the highest level and the highest professionalism of doctors. I am confident that our combined efforts, including the government policy, the establishment of new health facilities, the availability of modern equipment and the professionalism of doctors, will enable us to achieve this goal.

I have recently expressed my opinion about education. I want to say again that we have to create conditions for our young people not to have to go abroad to study. The level of education in Azerbaijan should rule out the need to receive education of the highest level elsewhere. Of course, we must ensure that in the field of healthcare too. I am sure that we will achieve that because the healthcare reforms conducted in recent years have been successful. However, much still remains to be done. International organizations, including the World Health Organization, speak highly of Azerbaijan’s achievements in this sphere. Some time ago the European Office of the World Health Organization emphasized the reforms under way in Azerbaijan.

I want to note again that modern hospitals and medical centers have been built in every district in recent years. As for Baku, it would be no mistake to say that major scientific research institutions and hospitals have been reconstructed and refurbished and several large hospitals built in the capital. We will continue our consistent policy in this area.

Public health is a priority for our state. The hospitals, the water supply lines and the environmental activities carried out during my visits to the regions pursue one and the same goal – to protect public health in Azerbaijan and create conditions for the provision of high-quality treatment. All our regions and cities will soon have fully operational dialysis centers. We have already achieved that in most cities. We are seeing the positive side of this. Earlier patients had to travel hundreds of kilometers to be treated in other cities. Today, every region and almost every city has a modern dialysis center. Therefore, healthcare, which provides for people’s health, is certainly at a higher level today. Azerbaijan has other factors that contribute to public health of course. This area is always in the spotlight. Doctors will probably know this best of all: statistical data shows that life expectancy in Azerbaijan is increasing and infant mortality is reducing. This is one of the main factors showing the level of healthcare.

I want to say again that the Azerbaijan Medical University has a long history, traditions, a great present and a bright future.

I can say that we are trying to address all the requests of doctors.

Such wonderful clinics are educational and medical centers and, at the same time, workplaces for doctors. Doctors in every Azerbaijani city and district should have such working conditions.

I want to reiterate that the opening of this beautiful clinic is a big milestone. I am very glad that we have celebrated such wonderful events in recent years. Medical University clinics are being established consistently. In 2002 we opened a dental clinic, in 2007 a cancer center, in 2010 a therapeutic hospital and now we are gathered for the opening of a surgical clinic. I congratulate you on this wonderful event again.