Baku: On March 5, Leyla Aliyeva visited the Baku City Narcology Center. She was given comprehensive insights into the center's operations and its historical background.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the Baku City Narcology Center was established in 1980 as the first specialized narcological medical institution in Azerbaijan, initially operating as the Baku City Narcology Dispensary. This was during a period when narcology was being separated from psychiatry in efforts to combat alcoholism, leading to the establishment of independent narcological facilities, with this center being the pioneering institution in the country. The facility underwent significant renovations in 2012 under the Ministry of Health. Following a decree on August 11, 2020, by the Ministry of Health, the center was reorganized as a public legal entity. The center now comprises 16 rooms, including spaces for registration, reception, seven physician offices, a manipulation room, and six administrative offices.
The center serves all 12 districts of the capital and employs a staff of 18 doctors, 25 nurses, and 27 additional personnel. It has the capacity to assist between 200 and 300 citizens daily. Currently, there are 17,557 individuals registered at the center in the capital, with 14,753 registered for mental and behavioral disorders due to drug use, 1,416 for alcohol-related disorders, and 1,388 for disorders arising from toxic substance use. On average, 20 individuals dealing with drug addiction seek assistance at the center daily, though applications for alcoholism are less frequent. Severe alcoholism cases are referred for inpatient care, whereas milder cases receive outpatient treatment at the center. The center also conducts screenings for Syphilis, HIV, and Hepatitis B and C.
A new location has been allocated for the center, and plans are underway for its relocation in the near future. During her visit, Leyla Aliyeva toured various facilities within the center, including the registration, reception, physician, head nurse, and manipulation rooms. She interacted with the medical personnel and participated in a photo session with them.