With the support of Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Health and organized by Baku Basic Medical College No. 2 of the Ministry, the 1st International Scientific-Practical Conference on Nursing and Midwifery of the Member Countries of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) was held in Baku.

The international event brought together senior officials from state institutions, members of parliament, the ambassadors of Türkiye, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan to Azerbaijan, official representatives of the healthcare sector, delegates from higher and secondary medical education institutions operating both in Azerbaijan and abroad, heads of leading healthcare institutions, as well as distinguished scholars in the health sector from OTS member countries.

The participants first visited the Alley of Honors to pay tribute to the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people, Heydar Aliyev, and laid flowers at his grave. They also placed fresh flowers at the grave of the prominent ophthalmologist, academician Zarifa Aliyeva.

The guests then visited the Alley of Martyrs to commemorate the Azerbaijani heroes who sacrificed their lives for the independence and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, laying flowers at the Eternal Flame monument. They also visited Victory Park in Baku, where they were informed about Azerbaijan’s historic victory in the Patriotic War and laid flowers at the memorial stone in the park.

Subsequently, the opening ceremony of the conference was held.

In his opening remarks, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Health, Teymur Musayev, emphasized the significance of the event, noting that National Leader Heydar Aliyev had always paid great attention to medical education in Azerbaijan:

"By the instruction of the National Leader, a new building was constructed for Baku Medical College No. 2. This was a clear expression of Heydar Aliyev’s strong commitment to healthcare, medical education, and the training of mid-level medical personnel."

The Minister stated that, thanks to the wise policies and dedicated efforts of President Ilham Aliyev, progress is being achieved in all spheres:

"This advancement is clearly evident in the country’s healthcare system. The humanitarian initiatives put forward by the First Vice-President of Azerbaijan and President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Mehriban Aliyeva, as well as her constant attention to those in need of care, play an important role in the development of this sector."

Teymur Musayev added that the staff of Baku Basic Medical College No. 2 of the Ministry of Health is currently working tirelessly to train mid-level medical personnel in accordance with modern requirements:

"Today, this leading medical education institution is entrusted with the task of preparing knowledgeable, skilled, and highly qualified medical specialists who are familiar with the latest advances in international medicine and capable of serving the country’s healthcare system."

"We are witnessing the successful realization of the statement by the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev. The Organization of Turkic States must become one of the power centers on a global scale. I am confident that by uniting our efforts in this direction, we will achieve numerous successes together," the Minister of Health concluded.

In his remarks, Ahliman Amiraslanov, Chairman of the Milli Majlis Health Committee, expressed his satisfaction that the conference was being held in Baku.

Addressing the event, Dilara Mammadaliyeva, Director of Baku Basic Medical College No. 2 of the Ministry of Health, noted that the purpose of the conference is to underscore the important role that nurses and midwives play in healthcare, to create conditions that support their professional development, and to facilitate discussions on current issues related to the advancement of these sectors.

Türkiye’s Ambassador Birol Akgün, Uzbekistan’s Ambassador Bahrom Ashrafkhanov, Kazakhstan’s Ambassador Alim Bayel, and Kyrgyzstan’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Maksat Mamytkanov, stated that the historical and cultural ties shared by the Turkic states’ peoples form the basis of relations between these states. They also noted that the friendship between the heads of state makes an invaluable contribution to the development and strengthening of close cooperation in all areas, including healthcare. The ambassadors, noting the high level of organization of the event, wished success to the work of the scientific-practical conference.

Subsequently, short video presentations reflecting the development of the Turkic States and the achievements attained in Azerbaijan’s healthcare sector were screened.

At the international conference, speakers including Esin Çeber Turfan, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Ege University of Türkiye; Rixsi Salikhodzhayeva, Chief Specialist in Nursing at the Ministry of Health of Uzbekistan; Nurjan Bijanov, Director of ‘EMILI’ Higher Medical College of Kazakhstan; Cholpon Usubaliyeva, Director of Bishkek Higher Medical College of Kyrgyzstan; and others expressed their satisfaction with the event hosted by Azerbaijan. According to them, such events provide an opportunity to share recent achievements in the healthcare systems of the Turkic states and facilitate the exchange of experience.

Following the speeches, the event continued with a cultural program.

The panel sessions included discussions on topics such as “Training of Specialists and Development Directions in Nursing and Midwifery in Azerbaijan,” “The Role of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence in Nursing and Midwifery Education,” and “Quality Assurance in Midwifery Education: International Standards,” among others.

At the conclusion of the conference, certificates were presented to the speakers and international guests.

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