Azerbaijan, China explore healthcare digitalisation cooperation

Azerbaijan’s State Agency on Mandatory Health Insurance and Chinese officials discussed expanding cooperation in healthcare digitalisation, insurance management, and medical training during a high-level meeting in Baku on July 24.

Azerbaijan’s State Agency on Mandatory Health Insurance Chairman Zaur Aliyev met with a delegation led by Chinese Ambassador to Azerbaijan Lu Mei to explore avenues for enhanced cooperation in healthcare, Caliber.Az reports per teh agency’s press service.

The discussions focused on leveraging the strategic partnership between the two countries to improve mandatory health insurance systems and healthcare services.

Aliyev highlighted Azerbaijan’s ongoing efforts to broaden access to medical care through the implementation of mandatory health insurance, emphasising the agency’s priority initiatives. He also recalled China’s critical support during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the deployment of medical experts and the provision of vaccines.

Ambassador Lu Mei expressed China’s keen interest in sharing expertise on digital transformation within the healthcare sector, innovative insurance management approaches, and sustainable financing models for medical institutions. She pointed out the functional similarities between China’s State Medical Insurance Administration and Azerbaijan’s agency, suggesting that an Azerbaijani delegation visit to China could provide valuable insights.

Both sides discussed establishing direct links between their respective agencies, launching joint training programs aimed at upgrading the skills of healthcare personnel, and exploring cooperation opportunities under China’s technical assistance programs.

The meeting underscored the mutual commitment to continue and expand collaboration, marking a promising chapter in Azerbaijan-China healthcare relations.

By Sabina Mammadli