SPEECH OF PRESIDENT ILHAM ALIYEV
Today is very wonderful day. We have just laid the foundation stone for the new building of the Oncology Center. I am sure a beautiful building will be constructed and put into operation for a short period. It demonstrates that every sphere in Azerbaijan is paid great attention and taken care. You are well aware that construction of a new building for the Oncology Center has been a subject of talks for many years. There were negotiations with various organizations and international financial structures. We thought it would need a loan to realize the construction. But unfortunately, the talks were unsuccessful, because international financial structures usually do not give loans for construction of medical objects. Because it is, naturally, not a commercial object, not a business. However, the rapid economic development of Azerbaijan, our growing potential has created a new condition. Today, we are capable to create any enterprise at our own expense. Undoubtedly, we should first of all pay greatest attention to the social sphere, which concerns people most. Great work is now being done in social sphere in Azerbaijan: new medical objects are being built, in provinces, in various regions of Azerbaijan, modern medical and diagnostics centers are being built for the people to be provided with high quality medical services. As you know, we have already laid foundations for medical centers in 10 provinces, and they will be built in a year and start functioning. At the same time, for the people suffering from renal impairment, dialysis equipment is installed in the medical centers. You know that people living various places are forced to come to Baku to undergo treatment; they had to overcome 100-200-300 kilometers distance; now a modern medical infrastructures is being created in every region.
Of course, cancer patients need great attention and care. They should be provided with high quality medical services. The big building whose foundation stone we have laid today will also fulfill its mission. The highest standards, most advanced technologies, equipment and medical facilities should be used in here. We attach great attention to this issue, and necessary funds will be allocated for the surgery building to meet the highest standards. Rapid development of Azerbaijan creates new opportunities for us. Finding solution to social problems – construction of new schools, medical centers and hospitals – is what our efforts are mainly aimed at. The adopted Program of development of Baku suburbs envisages construction of more that 20 medical objects. Foundation stones for several of them have already been laid. High level medical infrastructure should be created in very region of Azerbaijan, every place. S We should attach special attention to the sphere of healthcare. At the same time, salaries of employees in this sphere should be increased. Related orders have recently been issued, and salaries have been increased. However, it is not satisfactory nor for you neither for me. We want people working in this field to receive high salaries, and hospitals to be provided with necessary medicines and facilities. I don’t doubt that ongoing reforms in this field will bring its good results very soon. I want healthcare spending to grow every year. Last year, it grew 50 percent, while in this year budget the growth will be about 40 percent.
Indeed, it does not fully satisfy us because it is one of the most complex areas, in which neither investments have been made nor programs implemented for many years. Unfortunately, this area was in distress for long years. We are now launching new programs. Serious reforms are to be implemented in this area and all problems concerning improvement of material and technical basis of the health care system should be settled.
If we look at the experience of the developed countries, we will see that medical sphere is developing in those countries where large investments are made in healthcare sector, and large funds are allocated for scientific research.
We have to make use of this experience as well. I once more say that our economic and finance possibilities are growing, our budget is increasing year after year. For the past 2-3 years, our budget has increased many times. Health care-related expenditures will go up as well. The salaries of medical workers will swell too. At the same time, a good infrastructure should be also created.
I gave necessary instructions regarding this matter. Today, laying foundation for this good surgery building is a good example of this. From now on, other medical centers should be built in Azerbaijan. I want to note once more that our people deserve high quality medical services and must get them.
Your profession is very difficult. The profession of a doctor is both difficult and honorable. You give health to people, improve people’s conditions, take away their pain and alleviate their conditions. I particularly appreciate your work in oncology field. I want you to work in good conditions and this beautiful building is going to be built for this purpose. As I have been informed, it will take two years. I am sure that built and put into operation will be a beautiful and modern building meeting world standards.
I once again congratulate you on this amazing event and wish you good health and success. Thank you.
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