The Milli Majlis (National Assembly) has approved significant legislative amendments in its final reading, allowing citizens to receive oncological care at private medical institutions in Azerbaijan.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that the proposed changes to the laws "On Protection of Public Health" and "On Oncological Assistance" were discussed during today's plenary session of the parliament's spring session. According to the project, in addition to specialized state medical institutions, private medical facilities holding a specific license for oncological assistance in accordance with the law "On Licenses and Permits" will now be authorized to provide these services.
Current restrictions and state guarantees
Under existing legislation, oncological services in Azerbaijan were exclusively provided by specialized state institutions. Medical assistance for Azerbaijani citizens suffering from oncological diseases has been carried out in state medical facilities funded by the state budget. The state also guarantees the activities and strengthening of the material and technical base of specialized state medical institutions that carry out the dispensarization, examination, treatment, and rehabilitation of cancer patients.
Currently, diagnostic and treatment assistance for oncological patients is provided in specialized oncological institutions based on individual applications or referrals from treatment-and-prophylactic institutions. These measures in state medical facilities are financed through state budget funds.
Patient rights and licensing requirements
Article 24 of the law "On Protection of Public Health" establishes the right of a patient to choose a doctor and a treatment facility with their own consent. This means patients should have the right to choose between state or private medical institutions. However, the previous version of the law "On Oncological Assistance" restricted citizens to specialized state facilities only. Any private facility engaging in such activities was previously considered to be operating outside its license, leading to legal liability.
The new amendments align the legislation with modern healthcare standards, ensuring that Azerbaijani citizens, foreigners, and stateless persons can exercise their right to independently choose a physician and a medical facility.
Expanding choices and reducing medical tourism
It was noted during the session that the high volume of patients requiring oncological care and the reliance on state-funded treatment often led citizens to seek medical services outside Azerbaijan. However, there are private medical institutions within the country equipped with modern technology and staffed by qualified doctors capable of providing high-quality oncological care.
The adoption of this project will allow private medical institutions with the appropriate oncology license to provide services, which is expected to reduce the flow of patients traveling abroad for treatment. Following extensive discussions, the project was put to a vote and adopted in the third reading.
This reform is part of a broader strategy in Azerbaijan to modernize the healthcare system and integrate private sector capabilities into the national health framework. By expanding the network of available providers, the government aims to improve accessibility, reduce waiting times at state facilities, and foster a competitive environment that enhances the overall quality of medical services in the Republic of Azerbaijan.
