Azerbaijanis working in the health and medical system of Russia attended a gathering at the Embassy of Azerbaijan to Russia on December 3rd. Nearly 50 medics were present at the meeting, which was organized jointly by the Delegation of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in the Russian Federation, the Azerbaijani Youth Organization of Russia (AYOR) and the Embassy of Azerbaijan to Russia.

Ambassador Polad Bulbuloglu opened the event by saying that a a great number of Azerbaijani doctors work in Russia’s health and medical system - they are extremely successful and work at the highest professional level. The Ambassador mentioned that healthcare and medicine are actively being developed in Azerbaijan as witnessed by new hospitals, polyclinics, and medical centers equipped with latest technical equipment. Exchange of professional expertise between Russian and Azeri health and medical employees is of special importance in this sense - firm cooperation with the Delegation of Heydar Aliyev Foundation in the Russian Federation can stimulate development of relations concerning settlement of this affair.   
 
Leila Aliyeva – the Head of the Delegation of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in the Russian Federation, and Chairwoman of AYOR - stressed the significance of this meeting of people dedicated to the preservation of human life. Mrs Aliyeva stated: ‘You give hope to people, and help them when they most need it. The medical profession is one of the most important and responsible, and one of the most essential professions. I thank you for your noble work’. 
 
Talking of the extensive activities of the Delegation of Heydar Aliyev Foundation in the Russian Federation, Mrs Aliyeva mentioned that more than two years have passed since the Delegation’s establishment. During these two years substantial progress has been made in the fields of culture, science, sport and education. However, one of the greatest priorities in the Foundation’s activities is health. She emphasized that the Heydar Aliyev Foundation develops and undertakes programs and projects in Azerbaijan, both independently and in conjunction with the Health Ministry. The Foundation helps people in need of special care, and vulnerable social groups – children, teenagers, childrens homes, homes for the elderly, displaced and refugee families, families in poverty, and children affected with different diseases. 
 
The Foundation's Director gave more detail of the medical aspects of the Foundation’s work, mentioning several of the projects which have been undertaken. Mrs Aliyeva said that the Foundation has been promoting the Priority Care for Diabetic Children Program since 2004 – a project which simultaneously delivers intensive assistance to the elderly. The ‘Life without Thalassemia’ Progra has been operating since 2005 - a modern Thalassemia Center was built and opened in Baku, new medical facilities have been built and existing institutions modernised. New projects include a Child Psycho-Neurologic Center opened this year; a Polyclinic in the Turkan area of Azizbeyov District; a hospital in the Shuvalan settlement; a Treatment-Diagnostics Center in Zira Settlement was renovated and newly-equipped; a modern medical center was constructed in April 2008 in Gala settlement; the Tebessum Child Sanatorium was extensively rebuilt and re-equipped in 2007-2009; along with many other projects. The Heydar Aliyev Foundation enables cooperation with a number of world-famous firms.  
 
Mrs Aliyeva explained that for the past five years the Heydar Aliyev Foundation has rendered medical aid to more than 10.000 people in Azerbaijan - 763 surgical operations have been carried out, and nearly one hundred patients have been sent abroad for examination and treatment. She said; ‘Of course we would prefer that people didn't become ill at all - but unfortunately this isn't possible. The Heydar Aliyev Foundation is pleased with the achievements which have been made. The Foundation will continue to help Azeris across the world, including those in Russia’. 
 
Goin on to discuss AYOR's work, Leila Aliyeva said the Organization has been running the ‘Blood Has No Nation’ project for more than 2 years now. Young doctors in Azerbaijan recently ran the ‘Make Sure You're Healthy - Say NO to Disease’ project, under which patients enjoyed medical screening without charge. Mrs Alieva mentioned the importance of interchange of expertise, joint projects, conferences, seminars, and masterclasses for young doctors , affirming that the Foundation is eager to support all initiatives and suggestions in the health sphere. 
 
A documentary about the work of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation was shown at the event. 
 
The Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Russia raised the subject of high-level technical equipment now available in Azerbaijan's medical facilities, saying that this modern equipment was there to be used – so student doctors should return to the homeland as effectively-trained experts.   
 
Doctors who addressed the meeting noted the necessity of such events, and the development of ties between the healthcare and medical communities of Russia and Azerbaijan. The doctors stated that the meetinghad laid the foundations for future mutual action, and expressed deep gratitude to the Head of the Delegation of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in the Russian Federation Leila Aliyeva, and to the Ambassador of Azerbaijan Polad Bulbuloglu . Speakers noted there are many opportunities to unite efforts and cooperate with each other. 
 
The ceremony of awards and presentations then followed. Leila Aliyeva – the Head of the Delegation of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in the Russian Federation - presented Honour Diplomas to members of the Russian medical community. Outstanding professionals of the health and medical system – professors, academicians, practicing doctors, promising young specialists in medicine received special thanks, including Academician Valeri Sandrikov, Aide to Chairperson of the State Duma Health Protection Committee; Doctor of Dedicine Yevgeni Gelfgard; Professors Aliheydar Rahimov, Aleksandr Yeremenko, Yuri Barsukov, Adil Mammadov, Safar Hamidov, Ismikhan Gahramanov, and Kima Abdullayeva; young specialists Samir Aliyev, Parviz Safarov and Ashraf Hasanov. All the above received the special commendation of AYOR ‘for their contribution to the training of personnel, and the organization of the humanitarian work of AYOR’.