Azerbaijan’s Minister of Health Teymur Musayev delivered a speech at the 11th Turkic Medical World Congress held in Ankara, highlighting the significant progress achieved in Azerbaijan’s healthcare sector thanks to the far-sighted and resolute policy of President Ilham Aliyev.
The minister emphasised the crucial importance of international cooperation in healthcare.
Teymur Musayev noted that the Congress of the Turkic Medical World has been organised at a high level since 2014 and that the discussions held at these events make a substantial contribution to the development of national healthcare systems. “Over the years, this platform has become an important venue for strengthening ties between healthcare institutions and scientists of the Turkic world and for identifying areas of mutual cooperation,” he stressed.
He expressed gratitude to the health ministers of member states of the Organization of Turkic States for supporting Azerbaijan’s initiative to create the unified “Turktransplant” information system.
“I can proudly say that Azerbaijan has achieved a historic milestone in transplantology. Last month, for the first time in the Caucasus region, a heart transplant operation was successfully performed in our country at the highest professional level,” Minister Musayev stated.
Addressing contemporary challenges, the minister noted that protecting public health and well-being now requires even greater efforts from states. “In an era of rapidly developing information technologies, changing social values and rising citizen expectations, traditional approaches to healthcare delivery are no longer sufficient. State policy must ensure comprehensive, high-quality and equitable medical services,” he emphasised.
Teymur Musayev also drew attention to the changing dynamics of modern societies: life expectancy is increasing, the prevalence of chronic diseases is rising, and climate change along with other factors is creating new health risks for populations. “Citizens are no longer passive consumers of medical services – they are active participants in the healthcare system.”
According to the minister, while technological advancement provides patients with rapid access to information, it simultaneously increases the risks of manipulation and misinformation. “Combating disinformation must become one of the key components of national healthcare security. Governments must also be highly responsive to public opinion. Today, more than ever, we need highly skilled, technology-savvy and patient-oriented medical professionals. States are increasingly prioritising innovative, digital and inclusive governance approaches in this regard.”
Ramin Abdullayev
Special correspondent
