Azerbaijan's achievements in healthcare presented at UN

Azerbaijan takes a serious and strategic approach to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goal No. 3 - Good Health and Well-being, Report informs.

The strategies "Azerbaijan 2030" and "Socio-Economic Development Strategy" adopted in the country form the basis of the policy in this area and place healthcare at the center of sustainable development, said Secretary of the National Coordination Council for Sustainable Development of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Head of Department of the Ministry of Economy Huseyn Huseynov, speaking at the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), held under the auspices of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

The forum is being held at the UN headquarters. Huseyn Huseynov noted that health is not just the absence of disease, but also a fundamental human right, as well as a necessary condition for the implementation of all Sustainable Development Goals.

He shared with representatives of the participating countries the unique experience of Azerbaijan in this area. The state representative emphasized that since the introduction of the compulsory health insurance system in 2021, more than 3,500 types of medical services have become available to the population, personal expenses of citizens have decreased, and confidence in the healthcare system has increased.

He also noted that in 2023, Azerbaijan was recognized as a malaria-free country by the World Health Organization. This was the result of many years of preventive measures and intersectoral cooperation. In addition, the national vaccination program covers 11 vaccine-preventable diseases, and the introduction of a hexavalent vaccine has increased its effectiveness and cost-effectiveness.

In his speech, Huseynov also touched upon the reforms carried out in 2024 in the field of medicines: "The reforms simplified the registration procedure, strengthened quality control, and improved access to medicines for vulnerable groups. In the field of maternal and child health, a model of home visits to newborns and mothers was introduced, and a new bill on reproductive health was submitted to parliament. In addition, as part of the digital transformation, a unified healthcare information system was created, and electronic prescriptions and digital sick leaves were introduced. These innovations have increased transparency, citizen satisfaction, and the efficiency of service."

He also said that the public media platform "Radio Health", launched in 2024, has become especially popular among young people and is aimed at disseminating evidence-based health information. In conclusion, Huseyn Huseynov emphasized that Azerbaijan is ready to share its experience with other countries, develop partnerships, and strengthen multilateral cooperation.

He noted that achieving SDG 3 is possible not only through individual successes, but also through the mobilization of the entire society and the integration of health care into all areas of sustainable development policy: "Let's unite around this common goal - let's create a world in which health is not a privilege, but a guarantee for everyone."

The theme of the current ECOSOC High-Level Forum is "Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals for leaving no one behind."

As part of the forum, 37 countries will present their voluntary national reviews. The ministerial segment of the forum will be held on July 21-23.