The list of specialist doctors allowed to practice medicine in the field of plastic surgery in the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan was recently increased. Thus, 3 more specialist doctors allowed to practice medicine in the field of plastic surgery were added to the list, bringing their total number to 45.
Although the list of specialists working with a certain license in the field of cosmetology and plastic surgery has been disclosed, concerns remain regarding services and individuals operating illegally. In particular, the large number of cosmetologists who advertise and offer services via social networks but do not have official permission can lead to serious complications in society, both in terms of citizens' health and the quality of medical services.
Modern.az sent an inquiry to the Analytical Expertise Center under the Ministry of Health to obtain information on inspections in institutions and activities beyond the scope of licenses.
In response to our inquiry, the institution stated that the Analytical Expertise Center conducted unscheduled inspections of plastic, aesthetic, and reconstructive surgery operations based on citizen complaints and information disseminated in the media during 2025 and until January 21, 2026. According to the information, inspections were carried out in 26 private medical institutions during this period, resulting in administrative protocols being drawn up against 12 legal entities and 23 natural persons.
“Of the protocols drawn up, 12 were under Article 215.4 of the Code of Administrative Offenses (engaging in private medical practice without certification), 2 were under Articles 215.4 and 215.1 (engaging in private medical practice without certification and activity beyond the scope of the license), 17 were under Article 215.1 (activity beyond the scope of the license), 2 were under Article 602.4 (impossibility of conducting an unscheduled inspection due to the institution head failing to create conditions for the inspection), and 2 were under Article 210.1 (engaging in private medical activity without a license), and were sent for execution accordingly.”
In addition, unscheduled inspections related to cosmetology services were conducted based on incoming complaints.
“In total, inspections were carried out in 12 beauty salons or medical institutions, resulting in administrative protocols being drawn up against 10 legal entities, as well as 55 cosmetologists or individuals engaged in cosmetology activities. Of these protocols, 34 were drawn up under Article 210.1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, 20 under Article 215.1, 8 under Article 215.4, 1 under Articles 215.1 and 215.4, and 2 under Article 602.4, and were sent for further execution,” the official p's statement noted.
In a statement to our website regarding the issue, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Adil Qeybulla expressed his concern about the licensing system in the aforementioned types of activities.
“First of all, it should be noted that no one in our country still operates under a licensing system, which is regrettable. The main problem is precisely that the licensing mechanism has not been established. However, aesthetic surgeons, cosmetologists, and other medical specialists should carry out their activities precisely on the basis of a license. After submitting the relevant documents, they should be granted a license for a certain period – for example, 3, 5, or 7 years, and after this period expires, their activities should be re-evaluated and the license extended.”
The Doctor of Medical Sciences noted that during the license extension process, the specialist's professional activity, participation in conferences, advanced training courses, accumulated credit points, and other professional indicators are taken into account:
“This system operates with an accreditation and credit point mechanism and is widely applied worldwide. Unfortunately, such a system does not exist in Azerbaijan, and in fact, individual licenses are not applied for operating cosmetologists or other medical specialists.
Currently, we only have a certification exam, which is an approach practically not applied worldwide. A person takes an exam every 5 years, and the process is considered complete. However, even if that specialist does not engage in practical activity during that period, they can extend their certificate solely based on the exam result. This is not a correct mechanism from a logical and professional point of view.”
A. Qeybulla also added that the licensing system requires a doctor to be in continuous professional development, exchange experience, participate in conferences, accumulate credit points, and have their activities monitored during the license period:
“After all these criteria are evaluated, the license is renewed. If such a system were established, it would not be possible to obtain a license through fraudulent means or with formal documents, because institutions responsible for the process and control mechanisms would exist.
In the current situation, however, individuals are sometimes encountered who engage in this field solely based on a diploma, without real professional activity and continuous development, which creates serious problems,” he noted.
For your information, the Analytical Expertise Center under the Ministry of Health conducts investigations based on official appeals received regarding situations that could pose a real threat to the life and health of citizens, and when necessary, carries out unscheduled inspections in accordance with legislation. Protocols regarding violations of law discovered as a result of inspections are drawn up under the relevant articles of the Code of Administrative Offenses and sent to the Ministry of Health for further action.
