Medical Ministry International in Azerbaijan

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Azerbaijan, the nation and former Soviet republic, is bounded by the Caspian Sea and Caucasus Mountains, which span Asia and Europe. Its capital, Baku, is famed for its medieval walled Inner City. The country has a population of approximately 9.6 million with an average life expectancy of 68 years for men and 74 years for women, which is quite reasonable aligned with the development of the country. 

Since the establishment of the Caspian Compassion Project (CPP) which aims to promote health care activities in Masazır, Baku, the association MMI Azerbaijan has developed a dedicated team of local staff that serves people in this region.

Elena Filippova has been working with Medical Ministry International in Azerbaijan since 1996 and became the Executive Director of Caspian Compassion Project in 1999. Elena is originally from Azerbaijan and graduated from Azerbaijan State University in mathematics. Together with Tofic Teymurov, they are leading CCP and are Medical Ministry International project directors for “Eye Surgeries in Azerbaijan.”

Elena Filippova, Executive Director, CCP

Elena Filippova, Executive Director, CCP

Tofic Teymurov - Chair, Board of Directors, CCP

Tofic Teymurov - Chair, Board of Directors, CCP

Permanent Centre of Caspian Compassion Project

In 2001, Medical Ministry International obtained the original grant for the land purchase, clinic construction, and equipment. CCP bought 3.18 hectares in Masazır settlement, Absheron district in order to construct a new facility of its own.

The clinic of CCP is located 30 min from the center of Baku. It is a good facility consisting of two floors and was built in 2006-2007. There is a sufficient operation area, several consultation rooms, and an administration area.

CCP (Caspian Compassion Project) Centre, Masazır, Azerbaijan

CCP (Caspian Compassion Project) Centre, Masazır, Azerbaijan

This project is also designed to work alongside local doctors, to increase both practical experiences and learning in a classroom setting. Other local organizations like Caledonian Society, Starling Group, and Garadagh Cement also joined Medical Ministry International in donating for the clinic construction. Since September 2007, CCP continues its activities in the new permanent facility.   

Project Sites:

Masazır Baku


Masazır is a village and municipality in the Absheron Rayon of Azerbaijan. It has a population of 3,247.

Baku is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea and of the Caucasus region. Baku is located 28 meters (92 ft) below sea level, which makes it the lowest lying national capital in the world and also the largest city located below sea level. It is located on the southern shore of the Absheron Peninsula, alongside the Bay of Baku. Baku's urban population is estimated at just over two million people. Officially, about 25 percent of all inhabitants of the country live in Baku's metropolitan area.

* Project Description: Project dates are flexible; please inquire. The CCP clinic is located 30 min from the city center of Baku. It is a high quality facility which that was built in 2008 by MMI. The building consists of two floors; an operation area and consultation rooms on the first floor, and an administration area on the second floor. This project is also designed to share experiences with the local doctors, both in the classroom & hands on while doing consolations & surgeries.

Elevation
23m (77 ft)

Climate
Average min and max temperatures in Baku, Azerbaijan

Travelling on a Project

Entry & Exit Requirements


Travelers must present a passport, which must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of expected departure. Travellers must be in possession of a tourist visa to visit Azerbaijan. Please check the following website for the most current entry/exit requirements.

• Americans: Tourist visa is required. Now it's very easy to apply for e-visa to Azerbaijan. All Information about it is on site:
https://evisa.gov.az/en/

• Canadians: Tourist visa is required. Please check the following website for the most current entry/exit requirements:
https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/azerbaijan

• International: Please contact MMI office or Key Travel (formerly Raptim Humanitarian Travel) for visa requirement if needed.

• The visa application may require a letter from your hotel confirming your reservation.

Application Requirements


Please email ALL CREDENTIALS upon application, as these must go to the Project Director in the country to be translated and then taken to the Ministry of Health to get temporary licenses prior to your arrival.

• For everyone, we need:
- Colour Scan / Photocopy of Passport (photo page)
- Colour photo for your name badge (any good photo, we can adjust size)
- Travel Itinerary
- Supply Lists

• Medical Professionals, we also need your:
- Current License (through time of project)
- Diploma (Techs, Nursing, Dental, MD and Board Certifications)
- Curriculum Vitae or Resume (this also will help the Project Director know your skills & experience to assign you a task on the project, especially for 1st time participants)

• Health Care Students: Letter of Good Standing from your school (including year of study and graduation date).

• All MINORS travelling with only one parent, or without their parents, will need a letter from BOTH parents stating that it is OK for the child to travel with one parent or an appointed guardian. The letter should be signed and notarized. MMI needs a copy of this letter, and the parent or guardian should carry the original letter while travelling.

Travel


Airfare is not included on the Project Schedule because the costs for airfare vary significantly based on the country location, location of team members, and time of year.

Once accepted for a Project Team, participants can contact our designated travel agent to coordinate schedules with the team itinerary.

Globespan Travel Management www.globespan.com
Email: Globespan on behalf of Medical Ministry International mmitravel@globespan.com
Phone: Connie Kelsey at: (800) 810-1948 or (416) 322-7629

• Applicants from outside USA or Canada:
Travel arrangement can be procured locally or with the recommended agency, but arrivals & departures must coordinate with team.

• Airport: Heydar Aliyev International Airport, Khazar, Azerbaijan.

Immunizations


We strongly recommend that you consult a travel clinic, as they are aware of outbreaks and can suggest preventative immunizations. All routine immunizations should be up-to-date. Please check the following website for the most current information.

• Americans: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/azerbaijan

• Canadians: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/azerbaijan

Accommodations and Meals


MMI will arrange local accommodations for the team.
• Laundry Service: usually available for additional fee
• AC: dependent on location
• Phone Service: check with your cell phone provider, roaming is very expensive.
• Wifi/Internet: yes
• Voltage: 220v (converter or adaptor required)
• Meals: MMI will provide meals for the team. Dietary restrictions can be indicated on your application and we will do our best to accommodate your needs. Be sure to bring your own re-usable water bottle with a wide mouth for refilling. Purified water is supplied. If you would like to bring snacks to have throughout the day, please bring items such as peanut butter, granola bars, trail mix or pretzels and crackers in sealable containers (like Ziploc bags).

Culture

• Language: Azerbaijani (official), Russian, Armenian, other 4.7%
• Religion:
- Muslim: 96.9%
- Christian: 3%
- Other: 0.1%
• Government: Presidential Republic

Currency


The money in Azerbaijan is called the Azerbaijani New Manat (AZN). US dollars or Euros can be exchanged for AZN. MMI staff will help you exchange money. All major credit cards are accepted - Visa and MasterCard the most widely accepted (make sure to call your credit card company and let them know that you’ll be traveling internationally). Traveler’s cheques are not easily cashed. You must bring US dollars in good condition. Torn, stamped or old bills will not be exchanged. $100 bills older than 2006 are also not accepted.

 
Elena Fillipova (CCP Executive Director) and Leanne Ferris (MMI Executive Director)
Azerbaijan Staff with Barbara Skinner, 2012.jpg
 

About Azerbaijan

COUNTRY BACKGROUND

Azerbaijan - a nation with a majority-Turkic and majority-Shia Muslim population - was briefly independent (from 1918 to 1920) following the collapse of the Russian Empire; it was subsequently incorporated into the Soviet Union for seven decades. The official language is Azerbaijani (Turkic language), which is spoken by approximately 92% of the population as a mother tongue. Azerbaijan is home to a vast variety of landscapes; over half of Azerbaijan's land mass consists of mountain ridges, crests, yailas, and plateaus, and the rest of the terrain consist of plains and lowlands. The national animal of Azerbaijan is the Karabakh horse, a mountain-steppe racing and riding horse endemic to Azerbaijan.

LOCATION:

Southwestern Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Russia, with a small European portion north of the Caucasus range.

GEOGRAPHIC COORDINATES:

40 30 N, 47 30 E

MAP REFERENCES:

Asia

CLIMATE:

Dry, semiarid steppe

TOTAL AREA:

86,600 km²

BORDER COUNTRIES:

Armenia, Georgia, Iran, Russia, Turkey

COASTLINE:

0 km (landlocked); note - Azerbaijan borders the Caspian Sea (713 km)

MARITIME CLAIMS:

none (landlocked)

TERRAIN:

Large, flat Kur-Araz Ovaligi (Kura-Araks Lowland, much of it below sea level) with Great Caucasus Mountains to the north, Karabakh Upland to the west; Baku lies on Apsheron Peninsula that juts into Caspian Sea.

ELEVATION EXTREMES

LOWEST POINT:

Caspian Sea - 28 m

HIGHEST POINT:

Bazarduzu Dagi - 4,485 m

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