Azerbaijan to tighten control over children's medical examinations
By Sabina Idayatova
Penalties may be applied in Azerbaijan for evasion from compulsory medical examination of children. The issue was raised during discussions on a relevant bill held at a meeting of the parliamentary social policy committee on Wednesday.
Informing the participants about the proposed changes to the bill, a department head at the Committee, Adila Namazova, said the proposals were mainly associated with stepping up public awareness measures, bringing to justice the violators and arranging e-registration of clinical examinations.
Namazova said the law will reflect the patient's right to go to court in case of violation of the law. She added that following the adoption of these amendments relevant changes will be made to the Criminal Code and the Code of Administrative Offences.
According to the Azerbaijani legislation, each newborn is to be registered at the state medical service and examined in the appropriate order. Annual medical examinations of children are of particular importance to ensure good health of the new generation in the country. Timely and proper examinations of children will contribute to elimination of most of the diseases. The compulsory medical examination will be conducted at least once a year at the expense of the state.
Speaking about financing issues, Committee chairman Hadi Rajabli said that though the law is costly, the financial resources of the state allow enforcing it.
"The government is ready to spend the necessary funds to ensure the health of the young generation," he added.
Rajabli stressed the importance of public awareness efforts with regard to the application of the law and noted that parents need to carry out these examinations for the future of their children.
MP Musa Guliyev addressing the Committee meeting offered to allocate mobile vehicles equipped with the necessary medical equipment to improve medical examinations. Guliyev believes this in turn will create suitable conditions for the examination of children living in rural areas.
The draft law on compulsory medical examination of children was approved in the first reading on February 15. The bill was recommended for consideration in the parliament's second reading.