Health
Male Circumcision Included in Azerbaijan’s Mandatory Health Insurance
Starting in 2024, male circumcision will be covered under Azerbaijan’s mandatory health insurance system.
According to JAMnews, more than 15,000 circumcision procedures have been performed in the past six months.
Previously, the cost of the procedure was around 200 manats (approximately 100 USD), making it unaffordable for many low-income families. As a result, some turned to unlicensed surgeons, leading to health complications for children.
Dr. Vasif Ismail explained that while circumcision is generally not medically necessary and is mainly a tradition, excluding it from insurance would be a mistake. “People will still undergo the procedure, and it involves costs,” he said.
With this new policy, parents will now be able to have the procedure done by qualified professionals without financial difficulty.
