Dear doctors, dear friends!

Today is very significant day in life of the Azerbaijan Medical University. Today we have together laid the foundation of the new educational-therapeutic building. Sure, this beautiful building will be constructed and put into service within the schedule. As has noted the rector, some time back I was told that there is a greater necessity for construction of the therapeutic clinics. But in the budget of 2007 this was not provided. For this reason, I issued an Order on allocation up to the end of this year from Reserve fund of the President of 3 million AZN and I am confident, that by the end of year the certain work will be done. We could wait till 2008, in fact, a few time remains. However, I knew, that there is very much a greater need in such clinic and did not want, that we lost even some months. Sure, the clinic will answer the highest world standard and have nice opportunities for treatment. Fine opportunities will be created for the students as well. They should study in this small town, to raise their knowledge. Thus, there will be the best opportunities for study. At the same time, creation in our country of new modern clinic is an event of huge value.

As you know, last years very big attention is paid to the medical sphere. Now, in Azerbaijan - both in regions, and in Baku - new, fine medical institutions are created. The medical center, being the largest medical institution of Baku, capitally is under repair, actually built up anew and will answer the highest world standards. In the National Oncological center construction of which remains incomplete during 20 years, the new building is constructed, and I am confidant, that in following year we shall take part in its opening. The new building of the Scientific Research Institute of Ophthalmology is under construction. It also will answer the highest world standards. Up to the end of this year, construction of the new administrative building of the Institute of Traumatology should start. Besides, on the basis of the reference, I received some time back, the Republican Urological Hospital plans construction of the Center on Kidneys Transplantation. In the near future, means will be allotted for these purposes. Alongside with creation of the Center on kidneys transplantation, the Urological Hospital completely will undergo reconstruction.

All this testifies that we pay to the given questions great attention, for short time for these purposes we have allocated huge means. Thus, in Azerbaijan very modern infrastructure of public health services are created. Some time ago, the hospital of the Ministry of Defense was put into service. It also answers the highest standards. The hospital of the Interior Ministry now is under construction. That is, all this raises potential of Azerbaijan in sphere of public health services. If to consider, that similar processes go also in regions, sure, in the near future the infrastructure of public health services in Azerbaijan will reach the highest world level. Now, on a line of the State Oil Company in various regions of Azerbaijan the modern medical-diagnostic centers are constructed. At the initial stage, construction of 12 medical centers have been stipulated in a number of regions. Two of them - in Lankaran and Nakhchivan - are already put into service. I can tell, that in both in them, transplantation operations on heart are already conducted. In the frame of the State Program of Social and Economic Development of Regions, it is stipulated to construct in Azerbaijan new medical institutions. Alongside with it, on the basis of the program of development of settlements of Baku, 25 medical institutions in the near future will be built.

At the same time, currently, in 2007, it has been constructed and repaired about 50 medical institutions. It demands very much greater expenses, and we increase the sums allocated for it. It is enough to produce the following fact: for last four years the means intended on public health services have increased by 5,4 times - from 69 million AZN up to 371 million AZN, and in forthcoming years they will increase. There is a greater necessity for it. Quick development of Azerbaijan gives us such opportunities. Our budget increasing every year, our economy growing from year to year open new opportunities which we should direct, first of all, on solution of social questions. In education, public health services, science, culture - as a whole, in humanitarian sphere. As this sphere is very important, and is extremely necessary for development of any country. Besides, people should receive high quality medical service.

Certainly, the powerful economic potential is necessary for realization of all of this. And we create it. According to other Order signed recently, in Azerbaijan, first of all, in Baku, all infrastructure of the first aid will be changed. There will arrive 150 modern machines of first aid got abroad, the new communication system capable operatively to react to calls acting from the population. All system of urgent medical aid will be supplied with medicines, and, thus, the citizens will receive fine medical service.

For realization of all work above listed, a lot of time is necessary. It is enough to tell the following: economic and political reforms conducted in Azerbaijan, political line of the great leader today successfully continues, and in process of economic development of our country all social questions, certainly, will be solved more operatively. I don’t doubt that the building will be constructed and put into service in the near future, that it will answer the highest standards. Once again I congratulate you on the occasion of foundation-laying ceremony of this clinics, I wish you health and successes. Thanks.