04 February 2021 11:14

A press conference was held on the introduction of mandatory health insurance in 2020

On February 4, 2021, the Board of the State Agency on Mandatory Health Insurance (Agency) held a press conference on the introduction of mandatory health  insurance in 2020. 

Zaur Aliyev, Chairman of the Board of the Agency, said that the most important reform carried out by the state in order to protect the health of the population was the introduction of mandatory health insurance in the country at an early stage. He said that, based on preliminary estimates, 1,147,834 people were provided with 8,339,508 medical services within the Benefit Package at the expense of the state budget in 23 cities and regions where mandatory health insurance was implemented in 2020. “At the initial stage, our state covered all the expenses and no insurance premiums were collected in those areas. This is a clear example of the social reform carried out by our state and the care provided to the population".

"As a result of the introduction of mandatory health insurance, the increase in citizens' access to medical services is reflected in the total number of calls for emergency medical care. Thus, compared to 2019, the number of calls for emergency medical care in 2020 increased by 82%", he said.

Speaking about the indicators of the surgical operations, Z.Aliyev noted that 35,287 surgeries were performed in 23 administrative territories. “The services provided under the Benefit Package include medical services related to the placement of intra-articular endoprostheses and the implantation or replacement of a cochlear prosthesis.The insurance limit for each of these two medical services is 300 operations per year for the whole country. Last year, a total of 47 people underwent a surgical operation for placement of intra-articular endoprostheses in 23 cities and regions, and 49 people underwent surgery for implantation or replacement of cochlear prostheses”. Z.Aliyev said that measures were taken to improve the supply of medicines and medical supplies to health facilities in 23 cities and regions: “The number of assortments of medicines increased from 126 to 334, and the number of assortments of medical supplies increased from 116 to 296. For 2021, it is planned to expand the list of basic medicines to meet the needs of hospitals”.

In order to assess and measure the activities of health workers during the reporting period, the Agency approved the Rules for Remuneration of Health Workers. The chairman noted that as a result of the implementation of the new rule, health workers in 23 cities and regions were provided with monthly fixed and incentive bonuses for service. As a result, more than 142,051,000 manat was paid to health workers last year. This is 43.52% more than in 2019 (more than 98,975,000 manat).

In conclusion, Z.Aliyev stressed that mandatory health insurance will be introduced throughout the country in 2021, and spoke about the tasks facing the Agency in this regard. Aliyev said that measures will be taken to improve primary health care and optimize the activities of medical facilities. It is also planned to carry out relevant work in the field of computerization of medical facilities, strengthening their supply base. Training of employees of medical facilities on the principles and rules of mandatory health insurance, educational activities among the general population will continue.

At the end, Zaur Aliyev, Chairman of the Board and Nigar Bayramova, Deputy Chairman of the Board answered journalists' questions.