International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

An improvement in the infant mortality rate in Azerbaijan has been commended by the country's president.

According to Ilham Aliyev, the chances of a child dying were relatively high during the Soviet era, when compared with today's figures, News.Az reports.

This, he said, is partly because healthcare professionals who are delivering babies now have access to modern equipment.

"Child mortality is reduced and doctors must make sure that child mortality does not exist at all," President Aliyev commented.

Indeed, he said the death rate must be comparable to those of developed countries at the moment.

President Aliyev, speaking during a visit to Imishli Central Regional Hospital, confirmed this is a goal for the Azerbaijani government.

He noted that the facilities for adults with other health issues have also improved considerably in the last few years.

For instance, he said there are considerably more dialysis machines available in the country today, thereby ensuring people with sick kidneys get the treatment they require.

Posted by Paul Robertson