Azernews.Az

Azerbaijan`s Health Ministry plans to take ``serious action`` against private hospitals employing foreign doctors without its authorization, according to Deputy Health Minister Elsevar Agayev.

He told Trend news agency that foreign doctors` being hired by privately owned health institutions and working there illegally is a concern for the ministry.

``Needless to say, our doors are open,`` Agayev continued. ``We want to welcome doctors from any corner of the world and for them to provide services to our population. But this [their employment] has to comply with the law and be authorized.``

According to Agayev, a foreign doctor seeking employment at an Azerbaijani private hospital must receive permission from the Health Ministry, as well as the State Migration Service and the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection.

Agayev said that hospitals employing foreign nationals even for one week are to obtain permission from the Health Ministry. The ministry has already issued several warnings to private clinics saying that permission for their work has to be granted by its relevant commission, however, some hospitals are still failing to comply.

As for specific measures that could be taken over the violations, Agayev said the Code of Administrative Offenses envisions levying fines against hospitals ranging from 300 to 500 manats (up to around $640). He added that the fines should actually be higher.