AZE.US
The cost of the same surgical procedure can vary significantly from one clinic to another in Azerbaijan.
For example, gallbladder surgery may cost around 900 manats ($529) at one hospital, while another clinic may charge 1,600 manats ($941) for the same procedure.
Citizens say that when a surgical procedure is not included in the mandatory health insurance package, they often have to turn to private clinics. In those cases, patients are frequently quoted different prices for the same medical service.
Some people say the price gap is especially noticeable in procedures such as rhinoplasty, liposuction, orthopedic surgery and other operations. According to them, much depends on the patient’s financial situation: those who can afford it choose private clinics with more comfortable conditions, while others try to receive treatment through the state system or mandatory insurance.
Medical expert Farid Museyibov said that, along with oncological operations, transplant surgeries are among the most expensive medical procedures. These include liver, kidney and other organ transplants.
According to him, prices for such operations can differ sharply. In some cases, the same doctor may perform a similar operation at one hospital for 2,000 to 3,000 manats ($1,176 to $1,765), while the price at another clinic may reach 7,000 to 8,000 manats ($4,118 to $4,706).
Museyibov said several factors influence the cost, including the clinic’s reputation, conditions, location and level of service, as well as the doctor’s experience, qualifications and academic background.
“Since this is the private sector, prices in this area are effectively regulated by the private sector itself,” he said.
In private clinics, the cost of surgical procedures depends on the hospital’s conditions and status. The most expensive operations include heart transplantation, which may start from 100,000 manats ($58,824), kidney transplantation from 30,000 manats ($17,647), and open-heart surgery from at least 15,000 manats ($8,824).
The State Agency for Mandatory Health Insurance said in response to an inquiry that state hospitals have specific tariffs for paid surgical operations.
For example, surgery to remove malignant tumors costs 7,600 manats ($4,471), intestinal surgical procedures may cost between 150 and 3,000 manats ($88 to $1,765), and a muscle-skin flap procedure costs around 4,000 manats ($2,353).
The agency noted that if a medical service is not included in the mandatory health insurance benefits package, the patient must pay for it at their own expense.
Experts say some countries have mechanisms to monitor prices for surgical operations in private medical institutions. Similar work may also be needed in Azerbaijan in the future.
AZE.US