BAKU, Azerbaijan, Oct. 3
By Zeyni Jafarov - Trend:
Compulsory health insurance is expected to be introduced in three stages throughout Azerbaijan, Trend reports citing Azerbaijani State Agency for Compulsory Medical Insurance.
The agency said that in accordance with the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan, the sequence of the introduction of compulsory medical insurance for the administrative-territorial units of the country was changed.
Thus, within the first stage, stating from January 1, 2020, compulsory health insurance is applied in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic (NAR), the city of Mingachevir, Gusar, Khachmaz, Guba, Shabran, Siyazani, Khizi, Gobustan, Ismayilli, Agsu, Shamakhi, Balaken, Zagatala, Gakhe, Sheki, Oguz, Gabala, Goychay, Ujar, Zardob, Kurdamir, as well as in Yevlakh and Aghdash regions. Residents of these territories are provided with services within the framework of compulsory medical insurance at the expense of public funds.
At the second stage, that is, from January 1, 2021, another 36 cities and regions of Azerbaijan will join the compulsory health insurance program: Ganja, Naftalan, Shirvan, Gazakh, Agstafa, Tovuz, Shamkir, Gadabay, Dashkesan, Samukh, Gokgel, Geranboy, Khojaly, Beylagan, Khojavend, Agjabadi, Lachin, Barda, Fizuli, Agdam, Tartar, Kelbajar, Astara, Lankaran, Lerik, Yardimli, Masalli, Jalilabad, Neftchala, Bilasuvar, Jebrail, Salyan, Imishli, Saatli, Sabirabad and Hajigabul.
At the final stage - from April 1, 2021, residents of Baku, Sumgayit, Absheron, Khankendi, Gubadli, Zangelan and Shushi will be able to use the services of compulsory health insurance.
Initially the introduction of the compulsory medical insurance was envisaged in four stages. However, the coronavirus pandemic in Azerbaijan forced to postpone the application of compulsory health insurance at other stages. The reason for this was the mobilization of employees and material resources of a number of government agencies, including the State Agency for Compulsory Medical Insurance and the Association for the Management of Medical Territorial Units (TƏBIB) to combat the coronavirus pandemic in the country.
The purpose to introduce compulsory health insurance in the country, is to take measures to improve the quality of medical services and to ensure the availability of these services for the population.