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Azerbaijan Expat Health Insurance

Azerbaijan is located at the intersection of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, and borders Russia, Georgia, Armenia, the Caspian Sea, and Iran. Established in 1918, Azerbaijan was the first democratic and secular republic in the Muslim world, but was taken over by the Soviet Union in 1920. Azerbaijan did not regain its independence until 1991. The government is a presidential republic, in which the President is the head of state, and the Prime Minister is the head of government. Home to about 9 million people, Azerbaijan is divided into 10 economic regions, 66 rayons, and 77 cities; Baku is the largest city and the country's capital. Azerbaijan's economy suffered from a very high inflation rate for many years, but was ranked as one of the top ten reformers in the World Bank's Doing Business Report. Currently, the economy is exhibiting the symptoms of “Dutch disease” meaning that increased exploitation of the country's natural resources is leading to a decrease in manufacturing. Azerbaijan is rich in oil, natural gas, and much agricultural land. The official language is Azerbaijani, and 99% of the population is Muslim.

The geography of Azerbaijan differs greatly across the country, along with its climate. There are mountain ridges, plateaus, flatland, and coastal areas, and 9 out of 11 climate zones are present. In general, there are dry, hot summers and mild winters, but there are also forests and alpine tundras in the mountains. The Western region has more extreme weather while the Eastern region is more moderate. The Caucasus, the geopolitical area where Azerbaijan is located, is in a seismic zone; however, there have been no serious earthquakes recently.

There is a general threat of terrorism and although crime levels are low, it is important that expatriates remain vigilant during their stay in Azerbaijan. British and American nationals should be especially careful. It is advised that you do not stay out at night, walk alone, or flash your money. Expatriates should only take taxis recommended by the hotel or use a private car service. Roads are not well maintained, and drivers often speed and do not obey traffic laws, or have seatbelts in their vehicle. As 99% of the country is Muslim, it is important to respect religious customs; women should dress conservatively and men should wear pants instead of shorts. Homosexuality is legal, but public displays of affection are frowned upon. Be cautious when photographing military bases or religious sites; it is best to ask permission beforehand as some visitors have been detained and questioned after taking photos. Internal airlines do not always follow standard safety regulations, and thus it is advised to take international flights to Azerbaijan.

Political demonstrations may take place in Baku, and visitors should be sensible and remain uninvolved. Foreigners should not attempt to enter or leave Azerbaijan via the Russian border; it is illegal. It is also advised to stay away from the Nagorno-Karabakh area, as there are still incidences of gunfire and many landmines remain in the area.

Azerbaijan Healthcare System

The average life expectancy is 65 years of age. The infant mortality rate is 51 deaths per 1,000 live births, while the maternal mortality rate is 94 women per 1,000 live births. 0.1% of the population has HIV, but the death rate due to tuberculosis is 10 times the European average. 25 percent of the population do not have access to safe water and waste water disposal, and about half the population lives beneath the poverty line.

Before traveling to Azerbaijan, expatriates should make sure their routine vaccinations (MMR/DPT/polio-virus) are up to date. It is also advised to receive the Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and rabies vaccine. Outbreaks of rabies have occurred, usually in the summer and in remote, rural areas located in southern Azerbaijan. Tick-borne encephalitis is common in southern Europe, and there have been some reports of malaria. Visitors should come prepared with anti-malarial pills as well as insect repellent and protective clothing. Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 has caused deaths in Azerbaijan, so visitors should avoid contact with poultry and avoid poultry farms. Tuberculosis is a serious problem in Azerbaijan; the highest multidrug-resistant TB rate in the world was recorded in the capital city Baku. It is imperative that travelers practice good hygiene. Tap water is not safe to drink; visitors are advised to bring water purification tablets, only drink bottled water, and to not consume ice.

The healthcare system in Azerbaijan follows the Soviet model, which dictates that there should be universal, free healthcare. However, this model is highly centralized; funding goes to the large hospitals in urban areas (mostly in Baku), leaving rural areas with little to no adequate healthcare. The healthcare system is almost all public. Although there are some private facilities, they are also under-equipped and tend to have under-trained staff. These private facilities are expensive, as it is the revenue from private medical treatment that funds much of the healthcare system. For both citizens and expatriates, treatment at private facilities is both expensive and payment is usually expected in cash. Some of the hospitals are the Turkish-American Hospital, MediClub Pediatrics, and Central Clinical Hospital. There are around 29,000 doctors and 59,100 nurses in Azerbaijan. These professionals are supposed to be retrained regularly, however, the health sector lacks enough funds to do so, meaning that some doctors have not received training in fifteen years and are not up to date with current procedures. The system is also disorganized; there is a lack of standards/protocols, and thus doctors are not motivated to maintain or improve medical treatments. Many hospitals lack water and electricity, especially in rural areas. Equipment is outdated, and laboratory services are poor as most hospitals lack diagnostic kits. There are about 8 hospital beds per 1,000 members of the population. Pharmacies are also risky. About 10 percent of the state budget is allotted for pharmaceutical purchases; however, this only meets 5 to 10 percent of the country's demand, and thus people have to privately buy drugs, and in general, about 70 percent of medical imports do not pass through customs or inspection. For serious medical treatment or many prescription drugs, medical evacuation to a state-of-the-art facility in one of the neighboring countries such as Turkey is likely to be necessary.

Azerbaijan Expat Health Insurance

When traveling to Azerbaijan, it is advisable to have some form of health insurance, as paying for adequate treatment will surely be expensive and in some cases may require treatment that is not available in Azerbaijan. Expat health insurance will cover expatriates for paying any expenses out-of-pocket, and can also offer medical evacuation services should expatriates injure themselves seriously and need to go to a state-of-the-art medical facility. Also, while you may be covered by an insurance policy in your home country, it may not cover bills for foreign hospital visits or medical evacuations, and getting another insurance policy may be necessary.

No matter your age or country of residency, Global Health Insurance can offer free, professional insurance advice if you are planning on making a trip to or living as an expatriate in Armenia. Expat health insurance plans that we work with can offer a number of optional benefits to suit your insurance needs, including maternity, dental, outpatient services and more. Please contact us today for a free consultation on international health insurance.

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