Azerbaijan to tighten penalties for violations in medical service provision

Azerbaijan is set to introduce stricter criminal penalties for violations in the provision of medical services. Proposed amendments to the Criminal Code have been added to the agenda of the Milli Majlis session scheduled for May 16.

According to the draft, Article 142, currently titled "Failure to provide medical assistance," will be renamed "Violation of rules for providing medical care."

The amendments outline penalties for medical personnel who, without valid reasons, fail to provide necessary care or neglect their duties, resulting in harm to patients. The law will also punish unauthorized medical practice by individuals without proper education or certification.

Depending on the consequences — from minor injury to the death of one or more individuals — penalties will include restrictions on professional activity, fines, or imprisonment for up to four years.