Oncological care will be carried out not only by specialized state medical institutions, but also in private medical institutions licensed in accordance with the Law “On Licenses and Permits” (in accordance with the annex to the license).
According to Elchi.az, this was reflected in the amendment to the Law “On Oncological Care”, which was discussed at today’s meeting of the Milli Majlis.
Currently, according to the requirements of the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan “On Oncological Care”, oncological services are provided only by specialized state institutions for the provision of oncological services. In this regard, medical care for cancer patients who are citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan is provided in state medical institutions at the expense of the state budget. Also, the state guarantees the creation of specialized state institutions, oncological service structures that carry out dispensary observation, examination, treatment and rehabilitation of cancer patients, and the strengthening of their material and technical base.
Treatment and diagnostic care for cancer patients is provided in specialized oncological institutions based on individual application or referral from a treatment and prevention institution. Measures for examination and treatment of cancer patients in state medical institutions are financed at the expense of the state budget.
Article 24 of the Law “On Protection of Public Health” establishes the patient’s right to choose a doctor, including a treating doctor and a treatment and prevention institution, with his/her consent. That is, the patient has the right to receive treatment in a state or private medical institution at his/her own will. However, according to the Law “On Oncological Care”, citizens can only receive services in specialized state medical institutions.
Based on the above, if any private medical institution engages in this activity, it is considered an activity outside the license and is held accountable. Currently, the large number of patients receiving oncological care in the country and the provision being carried out solely at the expense of the state budget cause citizens to turn to foreign countries. However, there are private medical institutions in the country that are equipped with modern equipment and staffed by qualified doctors that can provide oncological care services.
Therefore, in order to eliminate this problem, it is proposed to provide oncological care by private medical institutions in accordance with the requirements of the Law “On Licenses and Permits”.
This, by allowing citizens to receive medical services in any medical institution based on their own will, will ensure the right of citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan, foreigners and stateless persons to independently choose their treating physicians and receive treatment in the appropriate medical institution based on their own considerations.
After discussions, the draft law was put to a vote and adopted in the first reading.