Within the framework of the 73rd session of the European Regional Committee of the World Health Organization in Astana, a meeting was held between the Minister of Health of Azerbaijan, Teymur Musayev and the Director General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

At the meeting, Teymur Musayev emphasized the importance of close cooperation with the World Health Organization and expressed his gratitude for the organization’s support to Azerbaijan during the past period.

“As a result of the fundamental reforms carried out in the country’s healthcare under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, many important works have been carried out in the areas of modernization of this field according to new contemporary concepts, digitalization, use of successful international experience, development of primary healthcare and medical education, vaccination of children and new legislative documents have been prepared”, the minister emphasized.

Teymur Musayev said that the reconstruction of the health care system in the territories freed from occupation has begun and said: “The examination is treatment of the population living in Karabakh is already covered by our state. As a result of the local anti-terrorist measures carried out last month, the civilian population was not harmed, only legitimate military infrastructure was targeted”.

Also, the minister noted that the current situation was welcomed within the framework of the UN representatives’ visit to the Karabakh region was immediately provided with food and medicines. As a result of the explosion at the gas station in Khankendi, the employees of the Ministry of Emergencies of Azerbaijan organized the extinguishing of the fire and the provision of emergency medical aid to the victims.

Teymur Musayev said that Azerbaijan is among the countries most polluted by mines in the world: “Civilians are still losing their lives and health in the territories of Azerbaijan mined by Armenia. Despite the number of steps taken by our country to clear the mines placed by Armenia for 30 years”.

The Director General of the World Health Organization, Mr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, highly appreciated the importance of cooperation with the WHO by the President of Azerbaijan, MR. Ilham Aliyev.

Also, he recently expressed his gratitude to the state of Azerbaijan for the high-level organization of the European Regional Director of the organization Hans Henri Kluge’s visit to Azerbaijan. At the same time, he expressed his gratitude for the detailed information about the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan and the work done in the field of protecting the health of the people living in this region.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus particularly appreciated Azerbaijan’s chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement, the humanitarian aid provided by our country to the Organization during the pandemic, as well as the global calls for joint cooperation among countries in order to eliminate the disease. He emphasized that the WHO welcomes and supports the reform carried out in the healthcare of Azerbaijan.

In conclusion, the parties exchanged views on the strengthening of the organization’s preparation and response to health crises, expansion of academic activities, as well as other issues of mutual interest.