“Considering the fact that the number of patients was on the rise and although the existing hospitals significantly expanded our capabilities, there was still a need for the construction of new hospitals. For this purpose, the construction of modular hospitals was organized,” said President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev as he addressed a video conference on measures being taken to combat the coronavirus pandemic and the socio-economic situation in the country.

President Ilham Aliyev spoke about the establishment of modular hospitals. “Nine modular hospitals have been commissioned to date. Four of them started operating in one day – on 29 July. These hospitals were opened with my participation in Gobustan, Ismayilli, Gabala and Shaki. In the near future, the total number of modular hospitals will reach 16, so a total of 3,200 coronavirus patients will be treated in these hospitals alone,” the head of state said.

The President noted that an 800-bed hospital was commissioned through the Ministry of Emergency Situations and another 1,300-bed hospital would be commissioned before the end of this month. “This will provide an additional 2,100 beds. At the same time, two Olympic Sports Centers have been turned into hospitals in a short time. About 300 patients can be treated in each of these centers if necessary.”

"When we talk of preventive measures, all of these factors are taken into account, of course. Because we must be ready for the most critical scenario. As a result of such prompt, agile and goal-oriented steps, the disease is now under control. I want to say again that the number of patients has been decreasing for the last three weeks. All of these steps, of course, allow us the opportunity to get out of this situation with dignity and protect our people’s lives,” the head of state emphasized.