Azerbaijan's Health Ministry warns plastic surgeons of consequences for unverified qualifications

The Ministry of Health of Azerbaijan has issued a warning to plastic surgeons practising in the country, announcing a crackdown on individuals whose professional credentials are found to be in question.

In an official statement, the Ministry highlighted concerns about the authenticity of medical education certificates and professional licenses in the plastic surgery sector, Caliber.Az reports.

The Ministry’s warning follows a wave of controversial media coverage regarding the legal framework that governs the practice of plastic surgery in Azerbaijan. The Ministry, in cooperation with the General Prosecutor's Office, launched preliminary investigations into the matter and uncovered potential irregularities in some medical documentation.

Sources confirm that a number of documents, including qualifications and licenses that grant medical professionals the right to practise, have been found to be falsified in certain cases. As a result, the Ministry of Health has stressed the need for a comprehensive review of all documents authorizing medical specialists to work in plastic surgery.

To address this issue, a Special Commission has been set up, comprising representatives from the Ministry of Health, the General Prosecutor's Office, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the Ministry of Science and Education. The commission is tasked with verifying the legitimacy of the documents of practising plastic surgeons in Azerbaijan.

The Ministry has given a clear directive to plastic surgeons: they must submit notarized copies of their documents verifying the legality of their professional activities by January 31, 2025. These documents include primary medical qualifications, postgraduate education certificates, work records, and practice permits.

Failure to comply with the new requirements could result in severe consequences. Surgeons who do not submit the required documents by the deadline face the risk of their practice licenses being revoked, along with the annulment of their certification to carry out medical work.

By Vugar Khalilov