Overview
The Azerbaijan healthcare system has made important structural changes with the full implementation of mandatory health insurance in 2021. The insurance scheme consists of coverage for primary, inpatient, emergency, and specialized outpatient care, as well as laboratory services, physiotherapy, and invasive radiology and is administered by the Azerbaijani Management Union of Medical Territorial Units (known as TABIB), a public legal entity under the State Agency for Compulsory Health Insurance (which manages health care providers participating in the national insurance system) that provides medical services to citizens across all health care providers. The Ministry of Health regulates healthcare system and is also charged with public education, research, development of medical equipment, and prevention of disease.
As a result of the implementation of a health insurance program, government investment has been focused on ensuring broad access to basic health care and less on modernizing and subsidizing equipment for public hospitals. Private hospitals are common for those who can afford to pay. As of 2020 there were 1,174 hospitals in Azerbaijan, 656 of which were private. There is a U.S. business presence particularly in hospital and laboratory equipment.
Importation of medical equipment and pharmaceuticals is relatively straight forward. Registration and permitting is governed by the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Medicinal Products, which covers pharmaceutical products, medical devices, and other items. To import medical products into Azerbaijani the product must be registered with the relevant executive authority.
Opportunities
The Azerbaijani government’s relatively new mandatory insurance program could generate significant demand for U.S. medical equipment and services, including training for healthcare personnel, hospital management, and consulting. There may be commercial opportunities to improve access to healthcare outside of Baku, including using digitalization solutions.