Health
Health Issues in Azerbaijan
In health sphere the Republic of Azerbaijan cooperates mainly with the World Health Organization (WHO)
WHO was established on 7 April, 1948. This organization has 192 members. The main bodies of the organization are the Word Health Assembly, Executive Board and Secretariat. Secretariat is headed by Secretary General. At present the Secretary General of WHO is Li Yonq Wook, the representative from Korea (was elected in 2003). The Secretariat of WHO is located in Geneva.
WHO cooperates with member-states through its regional offices. Organization has 6 offices:
1. Regional office on Africa - headquarter is in Brazzaville (Congo);
2. Regional office on Europe - headquarter is in Copenhagen (Denmark);
3. Regional office on South-Eastern Asia - headquarter is in Deli (India);
4. Regional office on America - headquarter is in Washington (USA);
5. Regional office on Eastern Mediterranean Sea basis - headquarter is in Cairo (Egypt);
6. Regional office on Western Pacific Ocean - headquarter is in Manila (Philippines).
Azerbaijan cooperates with WHO thought Regional office on Europe. The head of European Regional Committee visited Azerbaijan in 2000 and 2004. Azerbaijan joined this organization on October 2, 1992. The office of WHO was established in our country in 1994. The head of the office is Professor Ferman Abdullayev. WHO has been implemented series of projects in Azerbaijan. They are following:
1. DOTs (Directly Observed Treatment-short course) project. - The project provides implementation of short-term medical courses of tuberculosis under the direct doctor control. In the framework of this project, T.B. prophylactic centers in Baki, Naxchivan, Lenkaran, Xachmaz, Gandja, Sumqait, Sabirabad, Sheki and Mingechevir receive humanitarian assistance as medicaments against tuberculosis, roentgen apparatuses, microscopes and other equipment. Series of NGOs also joined this project.
2. MECACAR - the program on elimination of poliomyelitis. This wide-ranging program has been implementing in Azerbaijan since 1995. UNICEF has also joined this program.
3. CARAK - the program on women and children protection.
4. The program on diphtheria observation - in the framework of this program, it is caring out training courses for medical staff of different districts of Azerbaijan.
5. The program on family planning - Gandja and Sumqait were chosen for implementing of this program.
6. The program on mental disease - in the framework of this program, different kinds of psychotropic are brought as humanitarian assistance in our country. The Ministry of Health sends this relief to Guba and other districts which were chosen as pilot districts.
7. South Caucuses Health Information Project - the project aims to help the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Azerbaijan to reconstruct and develop its own Health Information System.
Azerbaijan also cooperates with UNICEF in health sphere. UNICEF supports implementing of following projects in Azerbaijan
1. Primary Health care Reforms - the project aims to assist and develop the situation of the health system in districts, improve the medical and office equipment of medical institutions and extend the capacity of staff.
2. Health Information System - the project aims to bring the Health Information System of Azerbaijan into the line with the international standards and make this system corresponding to the needs of country.
3. Acute Respiratory Infections and control of diarrhea diseases - the aim of this project is the care of the children in the family.
4. Save motherhood and Newborn Care - it aims to improve the service on protection of mother and newborn child.
5. Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses - it aims to ensure integrated approach to lessening of children decease through great attention on society component.
6. Malaria Control - it aims to improve the society role in implementing of program in the places of epidemic dissimilation.
7. Breastfeeding and Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative - it aims to keep and provide the duration of feeding to 6 month and make longer this process till 2 years, ensure nutrition for all children.
8. Iodine Deficiency Disorders and Universal Salt Iodination - it aims to ensure full iodination of salt using ii t in animal and human nutrition.
9. Expanded Program on Immunization - it aims to obtain the highest level of immunization (90%).
10. Young People's Health and Development
Besides this organization Azerbaijan participates in the activity of different expert committees on health issues of the Council of Europe.
