The Turkic Medical World Congress, held in Istanbul, has started today.

On November 12, 2021, the VIII Summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) on "Green technologies and smart cities in the digital age" was held in Istanbul. The document "Turkic World Vision – 2040" was adopted at the summit, and the heads of state signed the Istanbul Declaration. The Istanbul Declaration also notes that the heads of state support the proposal to hold the annual Turkic Medical World Congress in October with the participation of health ministers and scientists of the OTS member states and observers.

The international event, which is organized by the Administration of the President of Turkey, the Organization of Turkic States and the Ministry of Health of Turkey, is attended by the ministers of health of the OTS member states and observers, heads of medical universities, and scientists from different countries. Our country is represented at the congress by the delegation led by Health Minister Teymur Musayev.

On the first day of the Turkish Medical World Congress, panel sessions dedicated to the topic "Transforming Global Health in the Post-Pandemic Period" were held.

A panel discussion on "Contribution to sustainable global supply chain management models" was moderated by Turkish professor Hasan Hüseyin Yıldırım. Speaking at the session, Deputy Minister of Health of Azerbaijan Rasim Ismayilov spoke about the necessary measures taken by the Azerbaijani state under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev in the field of combating the coronavirus pandemic and informed about the successful results achieved.

In the continuation of his speech, R. Ismayilov emphasized the significant impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the behavior of producers and consumers, the importance of novel approaches and tools for the continuous operation of supply chains in the current situation: "According to the opinion of many experts and market participants, one of the main approaches for the reconstruction of supply chains is "mapping" - supply chain mapping, i.e. visualization of the entire supply chain. "Mapping" supply chains allow for a systematic assessment of suppliers, distribution centers, transportation routes, and the geographic location of key markets. When choosing suppliers, the focus should not be on minimizing costs, but on minimizing risks."

Rasim Ismayilov also informed the participants about Azerbaijan's economic development indicators and investment opportunities.

At the panel session, Gulnara Mukhanova, Director of the International Cooperation and Integration Department of the Ministry of Health of Kazakhstan, Dilmurod Asatullayev, Deputy Head of the Main Department of Economic Analysis and Forecasting of the Ministry of Health of Uzbekistan, Sevil Azak Sungur, Deputy Chairman of the Turkish Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Agency and others gave presentations.

Under the moderation of Turkish professors Songul Varla, Utkan Demirci and Ulash Bagci, discussions were held on "Digital transformation and artificial intelligence in healthcare". Speaking at the session, Adviser to the Minister of Health of Azerbaijan on digitalization Rufat Hajialibeyov stressed that digitalization is one of the most crucial tools for effective management of the healthcare sector. According to him, the Ministry of Health of Azerbaijan has prepared a document called "Digital Health Strategy for 2023-2027" for this purpose.

It was noted that the main goals of the digital health strategy are to ensure the satisfaction of citizens with the quality of medical services throughout the country, including the liberated territories, the direct participation of citizens in the process of improving the medical services provided, the formation of effective management of the healthcare industry, the transition to a more active phase of cooperation with other government bodies. At the same time, the document defines the goals and objectives for the formation, and purposeful analysis of a medical and statistical database that meets modern standards, increases economic transparency and efficiency in the healthcare industry and improves our country's position in international rankings.

At the session, Farhad Bekbulatov, Director of the Electronic Health Development Department of the Ministry of Health of Kazakhstan, Iskender Shayakhmetov, Chief Physician of Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) Emergency Medical Station, Mustafa Mahir Ulgu, General Manager of Health Information Systems of the Ministry of Health of Turkey, and others gave presentations.

A panel discussion on "Rare hereditary diseases" was held under the moderatorship of Turkish professors Rabiya Koch and Murat Sinkan. Specialist-expert of the Ministry of Health of Azerbaijan, pediatrician Erkin Rahimov provided information on rare hereditary diseases. E. Rahimov stressed the importance of taking steps to improve the quality of life of individuals suffering from these diseases.

Panel sessions discussed topics such as "Pandemic and Vaccination", "Research and Development", "Oncology", "The Role of Health in International Relations", and other topics. Tarlan Mammadov, professor of the Akdeniz University of Turkey, corresponding member of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan, Fuad Guliyev, deputy director of the National Oncology Center of the Ministry of Health of Azerbaijan, Nurlan Aukenov, head of the Department of Medical Science and New Technologies of the Ministry of Health of Kazakhstan, Head of the Department of Medical Science and New Technologies of the Ministry of Health of Uzbekistan, and, director of the Republican Specialized Children's Scientific-Practical Medical Center of the Ministry of Health of Uzbekistan, Dilorom Ahmadova gave presentations.

Afterwards, the participants' questions were answered.

"Turkish World Healthcare Business Exhibition" is also held in parallel with the Turkish Medical World Congress.

Tomorrow, within the framework of the congress, a meeting of the Ministers of Health of the Member States and observers of the OTS will occur. During the meeting, discussions will be held on cooperation in the healthcare field, the implementation of joint projects and other vital issues on the agenda. In addition, the country where the next congress will be held will be determined at the meeting.

In the end, there will be an award ceremony named after the world-famous scientist and Nobel Prize winner, Professor Aziz Sanjar.

It should be noted that within the framework of the visit, the speech of the Minister of Health of Azerbaijan, Teymur Musayev, is expected at the meeting of the Ministers of Health of the member states and observers of the OTS. In addition, it is planned to hold bilateral meetings with the ministers of health of the member countries and a meeting with Azerbaijani doctors working in brotherly Turkey.

The Turkish Medical World Congress will conclude its work on October 31.