Baku: A proposal has been made to establish a bone marrow donor bank in Azerbaijan, APA reports. The proposal was voiced by MP Soltan Mammadov during the discussion of the draft law "On the Execution of the State Budget of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2025" at today's plenary session of the Milli Majlis.

According to Azeri-Press News agency, Soltan Mammadov highlighted the successful implementation of the compulsory health insurance system in Azerbaijan's healthcare sector. He emphasized the importance of expanding the service package, increasing public access to medical services, and enhancing the quality of healthcare. Mammadov also pointed to the need for expanding preventive measures and strengthening the primary healthcare system. He noted that in both developed and developing countries, spending on these areas has increased significantly post-COVID-19. In the European region, primary healthcare services account for 15-20 percent of total healthcare spending, while preventive measures account for 3-7 percent. Increasing expenditures in these areas helps optimize healthcare costs and prevent excessive pressure on the system. He suggested that further reforms are needed in this direction.

The MP also commended the allocation of AZN 5 million for bone marrow transplantation operations under the healthcare expenditures section of the 2025 state budget. He noted the critical need for support for children suffering from hereditary blood diseases. While bone marrow transplantation operations have been conducted abroad, efforts have been made to perform these procedures domestically. Mammadov stressed the importance of expanding human resources, establishing a bone marrow donor bank, and reducing reliance on first-degree relative donors for domestic operations. He also advocated for continued allocation of financial resources for the treatment of hereditary and rare childhood diseases, building on the positive outcomes of state programs in the healthcare sector.