28 May 2020 12:30

An online conference entitled "COVID-19 in the Caspian Region: Impact on Health Policy" was held

The Caspian Policy Center held an online conference entitled "COVID-19 in the Caspian Region: Impact on Health Policy" within the framework of the Trans-Caspian Forum with the support of the Embassies of Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Turkey, and Uzbekistan, as well as with the participation of the public healthcare representatives of the aforementioned countries and top officials of the United States of America. The purpose of the conference was to share the experience of countries combating the coronavirus pandemic, to discuss the planned response to the consequences of the sharp decline in global economic activity and demand, and national approaches.

The Azerbaijan was represented at the conference by Deputy Minister of Health Viktor Gasimov and Chairman of the Board of the State Agency on Mandatory Health Insurance (Agency) Zaur Aliyev.

Jimmy Kolker, a former US ambassador and current Assistant Secretary for Global Affairs at the Department of Health and Human Services, moderated the conference and said the purpose of the conference was to share information on the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on public health and health policy in the region, as well as to identify opportunities for developing regional and international cooperation. 

The Chairman of the Board of the Agency, Zaur Aliyev, thanked the Caspian Policy Center for organizing the online conference to discuss the COVID-19 problem in the Caspian region. According to him, Azerbaijan has been taking the necessary preventive, prophylactic, and urgent measures to combat the pandemic since the first day: "During the pandemic, our priority is to protect human health and social security. An operational headquarters under the Cabinet of Ministers was established at the beginning of the year to prevent the threats of the coronavirus disease in Azerbaijan. A special quarantine regime has been applied in our country since March 24." He stated that the Support Fund For the Fight Against Coronavirus was established by the relevant decree of President Ilham Aliyev. The purpose of the Fund is to prevent the spread of the coronavirus infection in the country and to provide financial assistance for the measures to be taken.

Z. Aliyev informed the participants of the conference that more than 20 hospitals have been allocated for the treatment of coronavirus patients in Azerbaijan: “In addition, it is planned to build and put into operation ten modern modular hospitals with 200 beds in each. Also, the hospitals’ supplies have been improved by purchasing medical equipment for laboratory tests, diagnosis, and treatment of the virus."

At the end of his speech, the Chairman of the Board stressed that Azerbaijan was ready to share its experience in taking response measures against coronavirus with other member states of the Trans-Caspian Forum and work together in this area.

The conference continued with speeches from other participants.