27 yanvar, 2021
In Azerbaijan Patient Organizations adopted a Declaration on Patients' Rights at the high-level meeting
On January 27, 2021, the First Republican Forum of Patient Organizations was held on an online platform under the slogan "Every step is a hope for the future."
Ramin Bayramli, Chairman of the Board of The Administration of the Regional Medical Divisions (TABIB), the main governmental agency on Health, Rauf Zeyni, President of the National Non-Governmental Organizations Forum, Hande Harmanci, Head of the World Health Organization (WHO) Office in Azerbaijan, Valeh Huseynov, Head of the National Hematology and Transfusiology Center made introductory speeches. They noted that the forum is a national platform for open dialogue between government agencies and patient organizations working in the health sector, underlining the development of this cooperation is an important issue.
Yegana Sultanova, Chairman of the Azerbaijan Diabetes League, Parvana Valiyeva, Executive Director of the Saglamliga Khidmat Public Union, Ayaz Huseynova, Chairman of the Republican Association of Hemophilia Patients, Mehriban Bagirova, head of the Public Association “Support Patients with Cystic Fibrosis”, Saadat Bayramova made presentations about their activities, success, and challenges. Also, suggestions were made to address the existing problems.
Parvana Valiyeva presented on CSO's meaningful engagement in TB response in Azerbaijan, successful projects; the Global Fund TB project, TB REP 2.0, National Dialogue implemented by Saglamliga Khidmat PU; some detailed information on OneImpact Azerbaijan mobile application provided. She stressed the importance of the development of innovative and accessible tools in advancing people-centered healthcare that refers to the Global Digital Health Agenda. The modeling of WHO and Stop TB Partnership on COVID-19 impact to the continuation of provision of essential TB services and possible solutions considered by TB CSOs was underlined at the meeting. The first digital tool for patients in the country was also highly appreciated by the government, who stated that the health services should be as close to a patient as a mobile phone.
A Declaration on Patient Rights in Azerbaijan was adopted by Patient Organizations. Parvana Valiyeva read the Preamble of the Declaration at the end of the meeting. The e-meeting was attended by the Parliamentarians, UNDP, UNOPS, WHO Azerbaijan, the State Mandatory Health Insurance Agency decision-makers, and policymakers, representatives of international health organizations, mass media, pharmaceutical companies.
Vugar Gurbanov, Head of the Medical Claims Department of the State Mandatory Health Insurance Agency briefly noted about reform of health organization and financing in accordance with international standards, spoke about the mechanisms of state humanitarian policy and the need for the insurance system in Azerbaijan in the future. Ramin Bayramli, head of TABIB also gave detailed information to the Forum participants.
The proposal on the establishment of the Patients Organizations' Council under TABIB was endorsed. In the next stage, the declaration will be presented to the Parliament, the Ministry of Health, and TABIB in the full version.
Patient Organizations operating in Azerbaijan represent the interests of citizens suffering from infectious and non-infectious chronic diseases. The mission of Patient Organizations is to achieve Universal Health Coverage - a high level of medical care for the population and every citizen.