Azerbaijan opens new hospital for coronavirus patients

By Azernews

By Ofeliya Afandiyeva

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva inaugurated the newly commissioned “Yeni klinika” medical institution in Baku that will help treat coronavirus patients in the country.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony on March 28, President Ilham Aliyev described the clinic as the country’s  “number one hospital”.

“Presently, even the most advanced countries face great difficulties in combating the disease, and in developed countries about a thousand people die every day… In order to provide the highest level of care to coronavirus patients, the most modern and advanced hospital in the country is given to their disposal upon my decision,” the president said.

“I believe that placing coronavirus patients here is the right decision. Today these people are the most vulnerable, and their treatment and the provision of the necessary medical care is the most important issue,” the head of the state stressed.

Aliyev also underlined that the hospital was put into operation ahead of schedule due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

“I would like to state that the opening of the hospital was scheduled for late summer and early autumn. However, due to the pandemic, the work has been accelerated, additional funds have been allocated, forces have been mobilized, and now we are ensuring the operation of the hospital in stages.”

“Presently, even the most advanced countries face great difficulties in combating the disease, and in developed countries about a thousand people die every day… In order to provide the highest level of care to coronavirus patients, the most modern and advanced hospital in the country is given to their disposal upon my decision....To put the number one hospital of the country at the disposal of coronavirus patients - there is no bigger step besides it,” the president said.

The president also spoke about the capacity of the medical institution: “The hospital has 575 beds. However, in the first stage, 100, and then 300 beds will be available to patients. The total area of the hospital is about 100,000 square meters. There are 70 intensive care units here. This is an important part of the service provided to coronavirus patients. There are 21 operating rooms. Presently, there is no need for these operating rooms. However, after the end of the pandemic, the hospital will continue to operate on its profile.”

Patients diagnosed with coronavirus and severe symptoms will be temporarily treated at this institution from March 29. The equipment installed in the medical center allows to perform both treatment and examination at the highest level and accuracy – all aimed at providing the Azerbaijani citizens with comprehensive medical services.

It should be noted that there will be surgery, therapy, emergency care, polyclinic, cardiovascular surgery, neurosurgery, hemodialysis and other departments in the facility. The hospital will employ over 1,500 doctors and medical staff.