Baku, September 23 (AZERTAC). President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has reviewed Ismayıllı District Central Hospital after major overhaul.

Health Minister Ogtay Shiraliyev informed the head of state about the work done. It was said that built in 1978, the hospital has never been overhauled. Ordered by the Ministry of Health, reconstruction work started here in August 2012. High-quality reconstruction was carried out by Inam YR Inşaat LLC. The area of the hospital was fenced, a green area laid, a water storage created, an electricity substation and a generator installed.

A photo stand reflecting national leader Heydar Aliyev's and President Ilham Aliyev's attention to the development of the healthcare system in the country was installed in the lobby of the hospital. The 105-bed hospital occupies a total area of 2.4 hectares. All offices and wards were fitted with necessary equipment. The facility houses ambulatory, functional diagnostics, surgery, therapy, pediatrics, gynecology, intensive care, infectious diseases, traumatology and hemodialysis units. Physiotherapy, X-ray and fluorography, ultrasound diagnostics, electronic cardiogram and other departments are fitted with state-of-the-art equipment.

The fact that the hospital has cutting-edge equipment and devices once again proves that the government of Azerbaijan is carrying out considerable work to ensure the protection of public health. This also demonstrates that a new stage started in the development of healthcare in Azerbaijan after 2003. Under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, this period saw the creation of the new healthcare infrastructure, the construction of new hospitals and redevelopment of the existing medical facilities in the country. Purposeful measures are being taken to improve the network and structure of medical facilities. State programs on the priority healthcare areas play an exceptional role in the protection of people`s health and improvement of the quality of healthcare services. The great development path Azerbaijan's healthcare has gone through in the past years under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev is, first and foremost, characterized by extensive reforms. These reforms are contributing to the reconstruction of the healthcare infrastructure in the country.

After reviewing the hospital, the head of state had a meeting with its staff and representatives of local public.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said:

- Thank you very much. The opening of the hospital after major overhaul is a great event for the residents of the district. There is an array of possibilities here. There are excellent facilities and equipment, so medical service must also comply with this and be at a high level. Health, of course, is very important for every human being and for our state. A new young generation is growing up and they must be physically and mentally healthy. There are several factors contributing to people's health. The first of these, of course, is medical service – timely diagnosing and checkups. I am glad that, as you said, people of this district have successfully completed the process of clinical examination.

We will continue to systematically pursue these processes, so that people could identify their illnesses and have great healthcare.

The development of the district is going very fast. Last year I visited Ismayilli District and what I am seeing now pleases me a lot. The improvement of the city, the establishment of new streets, the restoration of buildings and the creation of new public spaces are all a manifestation of the policies we pursue in Azerbaijan. I want things in every town and every district to go well.

The work done in Ismayilli District recently and the initiatives put forward by the local leadership are enjoying the support of the people. As President, I will also keep the development of Ismayilli in the spotlight. There are specific programs on further development of the district. In particular, infrastructure projects are being implemented. A drinking water and sanitation project is now under way. It is likely to be completed next year. Funds are allocated for the construction of rural roads. Social facilities are constructed. This great hospital has been repaired after 40 years and placed at the disposal of people. A kindergarten will be opened today. Schools are built. There is still much to do in connection with this social infrastructure. We must first of all restore the social facilities which were constructed a long time ago and have become unusable, and build new ones. We are doing that. We are taking our country forward and developing it because the successful development of our country depends on the development of the regions.

New industries are being established and jobs created. I am aware of the fact that new industrial enterprises are also emerging in Ismayilli. While visiting here last year, we saw the early results of that. As far as I know, new investment projects are being implemented here now in order to completely eliminate unemployment.

Ismayilli has tremendous tourist potential. Actually, I think that this area is very attractive for tourism. From Shamakhi to Balakan there is a big area where modern hotels, places of recreation and entertainment are being built now. Gabala International Airport was built a few years ago to facilitate the development of this region. Work is also under way in other neighboring districts. Beautiful hotels are built. There are excellent opportunities for the development of tourism in Ismayilli too. I am sure that we will efficiently use these opportunities.

The amount of investments here should further increase in the near future. This is envisaged in the state program. The third regional development program is currently under way. Two programs have already been implemented. The third program has begun and should also be completed by 2018. I do hope that by that time there will be no infrastructure problems left in the district. At least this is what we are aiming for.

Of course, additional measures will be taken in the coming years to further develop the district. A few days ago we celebrated the 20th anniversary of the "Contract of the Century" and launched the contract of the 21st century. I can say that today's development and even this beautiful hospital have been made possible after the wise decisions passed in those years. If great leader Heydar Aliyev had not taken that historic step at the time, our material resources would not be large enough and we would not be able to ensure our economic security. We could have ended up in a state of dependence.

Today, Azerbaijan is a country that speaks its word on a global scale. Our political will is expressed from the highest podiums. No external power can impose its will on us. One reason for this is our economic power and economic independence. Of course, the political will of the government is quite strong. The unity of the people and the government is the main condition. In other words, this is the major contributor to our independent life. At the same time, there is economic independence. The fruits of the "Contract of the Century" are evident to everyone – through the improving infrastructure of our cities, new buildings, roads, growing wages and such excellent hospitals which were built earlier and have now been renovated.

Two days ago, the foundation for yet another historic project was laid – the Southern Gas Corridor. As you know, there were many guests. This project will provide Azerbaijan with additional opportunities. We are pursuing our policy in a consistent manner and building a happy future for the Azerbaijani people. If all problems are resolved in every district and every village, there will be no outstanding problems in the country as a whole. At least this is what we should be aiming for, and I am sure that Ismayilli District will become one of the most developed districts of the country in a short time. I will also strive to ensure that we achieve this goal together. I congratulate you once again!