The European Union (EU) has been cooperating with Azerbaijan in the field of healthcare for several years. The main goal of the EU-funded Twinning project is to strengthen mandatory health insurance mechanisms in Azerbaijan by supporting the Government of Azerbaijan in improving quality, equality, efficiency and accessibility or health services in line with European best practices.
The Twinning project “Support to implementation of the mandatory health insurance system in Azerbaijan” phase 1, implemented 2017-2019 was evaluated as a “success story” and was granted the continuation by the EU. Lithuanian team including the Central Project Management Agency (CPMA) were responsible for strengthening the institutional capacity at the State Agency on Mandatory Health Insurance (SAHMI) to plan, execute and monitor healthcare spending in three elements: collection, accumulation of funds and purchasing of healthcare services. The phase 2 is continuous project which provides an opportunity to further progress in the development of sustainable healthcare system of Azerbaijan, thus strengthening and deepening the political and economic relations between the EU and Azerbaijan. Phase 2 is expected to last up to 2 years and will cost up to €1.5 million.
“The European Union and the State Agency on Mandatory Health Insurance of Azerbaijan maintain positive cooperative relations. The best practices of the EU member states in this area will be further studied and applied in our country in the framework of the project,” said SAMHI Chairman Z. Aliyev.
According to EU Ambassador to Azerbaijan Peter Michalko, citizens’ health is a core EU priority, but to achieve a high level of human health protection and quality of healthcare, a number of challenges must be overcome. “Healthcare systems must adapt to demographic changes and a growing demand for care and make the best use of innovative health technologies. Based on strong partnership with Azerbaijan this EU project brings the European experience in the field of health and healthcare in Azerbaijan with a particular focus on improvement of the sustainability of healthcare system for the benefit of the citizens,” said Mr Michalko.
Currently, CPMA implementing one more twinning project in Azerbaijan “Support to the reform of the criminal asset recovery and management system in Azerbaijan” 2022-2024 together with Special Investigation Service of the Republic of Lithuania (STT), Supreme Court of Lithuania, Prosecutor General’s Office of the Republic of Lithuania, Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania Financial Crime Investigation Service, Lithuanian Criminal Police Bureau and State Tax Inspectorate under the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Lithuania.
