28 September 2018 15:55

EU twinning supports the organization of an International conference in Mingachevir on implementation of the mandatory health insurance system in Azerbaijan

The main goal of this event was to create the opportunity for SAMHI to raise awareness about the ongoing reform, its initial results and perspectives and also to create opportunity for local stakeholders from different pilot regions (Mingachevir, Yevlakh and Aghdash) to share their experiences and best practices.On 28 September an international conference related to mandatory health insurance in Azerbaijan and its ”achievements, challenges and perspectives”, was held at the State University of Mingachevir by State Agency for Mandatory Health Insurance (SAHMI) with the support of Twinning project ‘Support to implementation of the mandatory health insurance system in Azerbaijan’ (AZ/13/ENP/SO/02/16) funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by Expertise France, the French Cooperation Agency for international technical expertise, together with partners from Lithuanian social security bodies.

The event was attended by more than 200 participants including officials from the Ministry of Health, diplomatic missions from the European Union and World Health Organizations, representatives of regional executive authorities, managers and medical staff from pilot hospitals, civil society organizations, academics and mass-media.

Mr. Zaur Aliyev, Director of SAMHI, opened the event, highlighting the efforts of SAMHI’s staff and personnel of pilot hospitals in the implementation of the reform, highlighting the support of European experts.

H.E. Ambassador Kestutis Jankauskas, the Head of the EU Delegation to Azerbaijan, noted that this project will enable local population to access high quality services for the most affordable prices and the success of the project in three pilot regions will lead to its nationwide rollout.

Mrs Hande Hirmanci, Representative of World Health Organization mentioned that during this critical reform the organization is ready to provide its expertise and support to the government. Members of Parliament of Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Musa Urud and Mr. Ilham Mammadov expressed their strong support to the health financing reform and the countrywide application of MHI and stressed on the importance of awareness raising among the population with regard to MHI through the mass media. Both parliament officials mentioned that thanks to smooth implementation of the project no negative feedback was received from pilot regions.

Mr. Anar Israfilov, Senior Advisor at Organization of Medical Aid Department of the Ministry of Health, indicated that one of the main objectives of their organization is to provide easy access to healthcare services.

Resident Twinning Adviser of the project, Gediminas Černiauskas, opened the first panel presenting objectives and challenges of Health Financing reform and quoted that: ‘Expectations of Azerbaijani Government regarding better quality of health services and higher productivity of resources are realistic. This first panel gathered the main stakeholders from pilot regions including the Director of Mingachevir City Hospital who presented achievements of the reform in pilot hospitals and shared experience from the study visits to European countries.

The second panel was introduced by the Mr. Michel Villac Project Leader from Member State, speaking about perspectives of the health financing reform in Azerbaijan. Later on the panel was continued by speeches of representatives from several departments of SAMHI presenting activities carried out by the Agency.

Mr.Zaur Aliyev closed the event summarizing the essential messages delivered throughout the conference and shared his vision for the future of MHI. He also expressed his will to work together toward the achievement of universal health coverage as one of the sustainable development sub-goals, insisting on the need to build a sustainable financing model of health coverage.