People's health of paramount importance to Azerbaijan- Ilham Aliyev

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev inaugurated Treatment and Diagnostic Center in Khizi District on 19 July.

President of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Rovnag Abdullayev told the Head of the State that this modern medical facility built by SOCAR consists of a four-storey main building and auxiliary buildings.

Congratulating the residents and the Center staff, President Ilham Aliyev said:

'Good morning. I heartily congratulate you. The opening of such a wonderful diagnostic and treatment center in Khizi is a significant event. This building is a beautiful piece of architecture for its appearance. It is also heartening that there are all kinds of medical services, outpatient and inpatient departments, operating theaters, intensive care and diagnostic departments. All standards here meet world requirements. So it should be. All newly-built and renovated health care facilities in Azerbaijan must meet the highest standards.

As you know, the population in Khizi is not so large. But despite this, it was decided that the state oil company builds a modern diagnostic and treatment center in Khizi. And I am very glad that we all together attend the opening of this center. I have been told that Khizi district hospital is not in a good condition, and I will order that this center hosts also the district hospital.

Then the current hospital will not need repairs and maybe we will make certain amendments to assignment of the diagnostic and treatment center. It may also provide sanatorium services. In a word, we have made ​​another great step towards strengthening the health system in Azerbaijan. There are already all conditions in Khizi to provide medical services at the highest level.

In general, modern diagnostic and treatment centers are being built in all districts of our country. Both the State Oil Company and Health Ministry carry out repair work, build new hospitals, diagnostic centers, and we already see the results of this work. People's health is paramount and priority issue for us. Of course, it requires qualified health services and high-level diagnostic capabilities to ensure health.

Opportunities created in Baku and in Azerbaijan as a whole in recent years have led to a new situation. All services are free in diagnostic and treatment centers, and again I recommend every citizen of Azerbaijan to have health check-up once a year. Given that most modern equipment has been installed in the diagnostic and treatment centers now, there are all conditions to do this.

So, excellent conditions are being created for disease prevention and preventive measures.

As you know, the foundation of a major new health center was laid in Baku recently. New health facilities have been built in Baku and in all districts. The state program on social and economic development of the country’s districts also provides for construction of new hospitals in the coming years. Thus, all conditions to provide high-level medical services will be in created in Azerbaijan and in all districts in a few years.

This is another proof that the policy of the Azerbaijan state is socially oriented and a citizen of Azerbaijan is in the heart of our policy. Citizens of Azerbaijan must be healthy. So, we create these conditions along with other measures targeted at human health, the health of the young generation. Olympic sports complexes are being built and strong environmental measures are being taken in all districts. Major water projects implemented in the country pursue exactly this goal. Doctors are well aware that good human health requires clean quality water, quality food. Therefore, the work undertaken in this direction, of course, pleases. However, we should get satisfied with the success achieved. We have done and will do even more.

In general, things in all areas are going well in our country. There has been rapid economic development, Azerbaijan has alreadygained recognition as the most rapidly developing country in the world scale, and the programs adopted, particularly the State Program of Socioeconomic Development of the Districts allows us to ensure multi-faceted development of our country.

In particular, positive changes in Khizi District are obvious. Very important steps have been taken to develop the district’s infrastructure and a new rod has been paved. A highway, a part of the Baku-Russian border serves Khizi people. At the same time, a new road paved to Khizi is also at a high-level.

As I was told now, there is no electricity and gas supply problems in Khizi. Gas supply has reached almost one hundredpercent. This is a great success, a great achievement. Drinking water and sanitation projects are being implemented at the moment. I am sure that this issue will also be resolved in near future. Schools are being built and repaired and a wonderful treatment anddiagnostic center has been built. That is, there are all conditions for health and normal life.

Agriculture and tourism are developing rapidly in Azerbaijan including Khizi. It should proceed at even faster pace. We should work to build new hotels and tourist facilities here in the coming years to ensure faster development of the district and attract Azerbaijani citizens and foreign guests here. I once again congratulate you on this wonderful occasion. I wish you success and health. I wish things always go well in Khizi'.