The examination and treatment of oncological diseases will be carried out in private medical institutions in Azerbaijan. This issue is reflected in the draft law on amendments to the Law "On Oncological Aid", which was discussed at the plenary session of the Milli Majlis yesterday.
According to the draft law, oncological aid will be provided in specialized state medical institutions and private medical institutions that have obtained a license in accordance with the Law "On Licenses and Permits" (as per the annex to the license).
However, the integration of the private sector into this field also raises a number of questions regarding the mechanism by which the process will be regulated, whether compulsory medical insurance will cover these services, what requirements will be set for private clinics, and how all of this will affect the activities of state oncological centers.
In a statement to Modern.az, Mushfig Mammadli, a member of the Health Committee of the Milli Majlis, clarified the issue regarding the amendment to the draft law, noting that the provision of oncological aid in private medical institutions is possible through licensing after the confirmation of compliance with the standards determined by the Ministry of Health. In his opinion, for this purpose, a medical institution must not only possess a license for general medical activity but also have a separate permit for the provision of oncological services included in that license.
"In general, medical activity is a licensed field, and within the framework of this activity, the provision of oncological services requires meeting additional, specific criteria. Only medical institutions whose compliance with these criteria is confirmed can provide oncological aid. These issues are reflected in the legislation.
Currently, aid to oncological patients is mainly provided in state medical institutions within the framework of state programs. The implementation of treatment systems under state programs is intended only for state medical institutions. Oncological services are not included in the compulsory medical insurance package; only a limited part of some examination and diagnostic services is covered within the framework of compulsory medical insurance".
The deputy reminded that, according to the legislation, in the current situation where state programs are being implemented, the provision of oncological services in private medical institutions is carried out on a paid basis:
"Thus, while treatment in state institutions is carried out at the expense of the state, oncological aid in private medical institutions is provided only on a paid basis by institutions holding the relevant license. In addition, emergency medical aid is provided free of charge, and this service is mainly carried out by state medical institutions.
The criteria that private clinics must meet to provide oncological services are partially defined in the legislation. Namely, to provide these services, a medical institution must meet the relevant technical and medical requirements, meaning it must be equipped with necessary equipment and have suitable conditions for conducting diagnostic measures. At the same time, it must have sufficient qualified personnel potential, a scientific base, and a staff of paramedical workers.
Specific and detailed criteria will be thoroughly defined in the relevant instructions and rules to be prepared by the Ministry of Health after the adoption of the law and its approval by the country's leader. Although general provisions are reflected in the legislation, detailed requirements will be specified in those normative documents".
M. Mammadli also added that steps are currently being taken to increase the diversity in the provision of oncological services:
"The main strategic goal of this legislative change is to ensure that all medical services are covered by the compulsory medical insurance system in the future. However, at the current stage, state medical institutions provide a limited number of specific services, and there is also a large patient load.
From this perspective, individuals who wish to undergo treatment on a paid basis can turn to the private sector. This approach will also contribute to reducing the number of applications and the patient load on state hospitals. Nevertheless, all treatment processes, procedures, and treatment protocols will be carried out within the medical and scientific guidelines of the Ministry of Health and the National Oncology Center", the deputy stated.
