Speech by Ilham Aliyev at the opening of the Medical Diagnostic Center of the Special State Protection Service (SSPS)

Let me sincerely congratulate you on the opening of a wonderful medical diagnostic center and wish you every success.

Two years ago, the chief of the Special State Protection Service asked for the construction of a new medical diagnostic center. I supported the initiative, and a wonderful center emerged shortly. Medical service of personnel was not at the proper level before because there were no conditions. The conditions available here are, in my view, at the top level. The building is very nice, comfortable, spacious, and the interior design is very nice. At the same time, there is modern equipment here, which enables timely diagnosing and treatment of any disease. There are modern surgical units. So there is everything there should be in a hospital of the latest international standards.

I am very pleased that a beautiful center has been built in a short time and the staff of the Special State Protection Service will be provided with high-level medical services here. I am sure of that. Of course, certain experience is required to operate this modern equipment and run its work. I believe that this issue will also be resolved. So a great medical center has been set up for you.

The Special State Protection Service has very important functions. Protection of public facilities, security of the people working in state and government organizations, other functions. We must ensure that the social problems of all Service employees are solved.

The opening of this medical center is a great step in that direction. Also being resolved are social and domestic problems of employees. There are broad recreation opportunities. So your service is also developing in line with the overall development of our country and being provided with modern equipment. The opening of this medical center is further indication that the Azerbaijani state is sparing no effort for a normal life of employees.

In general, our country has taken very important steps in recent years to improve the healthcare system. We can say that beautiful and modern medical centers have been set up in all regions of our country. District hospitals have been refurbished. All districts have modern medical diagnostic centers. Of course, specialized medical centers have emerged in Baku in the past few years, which enables provision of Azerbaijani citizens with quality healthcare.

We are celebrating the opening of this wonderful medical diagnostic center today. At the same time, we will lay the foundation of a new and large health center in Baku. That center will also be a major multi-purpose one. It will have departments on various specializations. I think the construction and commissioning of the Baku health center will elevate the key directions of healthcare in our city to the desired level.

The attention being paid to the healthcare shows the intentions of any country. Our country is primarily working to address people’s social concerns. In recent years, we have allocated major funds to address these issues. In subsequent years, this policy will be continued. We must ensure that citizens of Azerbaijan, irrespective of the region in which they live, have access to quality medical care.

I want to sincerely congratulate you on the opening of this beautiful center. I want to reiterate that I am glad that this center has been built in a short time and with great taste. The equipment I have been shown is used in the most advanced hospitals of developed countries. That’s the way it should be. The advanced experiences used in Azerbaijan should be at the highest level.

The health of those to be treated here depends on the center’s medical staff. I am sure you will provide excellent services, not least because the conditions available here provide grounds for that. I congratulate you again and wish you further success.