Azerbaijan.US
Azerbaijan’s social welfare system is undergoing a quiet but significant recalibration. Authorities say disability status decisions were canceled in 1,500 cases last year following targeted reviews – a move officials describe as part of broader efforts to strengthen oversight, reduce abuse, and modernize assessment procedures.
The announcement was made by Ramin Rzayev, head of the State Agency for Medical, Social Expertise and Rehabilitation, during a year-end press briefing. According to the agency, more than 25,000 people were granted disability status in 2025, while over 142,000 citizens received rehabilitation services nationwide.
The cancellations, officials say, stemmed from special audits that identified cases of inaccurate or exaggerated diagnoses. In some instances, applications were based on medical conclusions that did not hold up under further examination. Authorities point to overdiagnosis and inconsistencies in documentation as recurring issues.
A key factor behind the reviews has been the expanded use of digital tools and anonymized data processing. By limiting personal identifiers during assessments and relying more heavily on integrated databases, the agency says it has reduced opportunities for subjective influence and fraudulent outcomes.
The issue also surfaced in the context of military conscription. Rizayev noted that decisions issued by some regional military medical commissions were overturned after re-examination. Individuals previously declared unfit for service were, in certain cases, reclassified as partially or fully fit. Officials attribute discrepancies partly to uneven access to diagnostic equipment and specialized doctors in peripheral regions.
Beyond audits, authorities emphasized structural reforms. A new digital platform, integrated into the state’s e-social mobile application, now allows individuals with disabilities to confirm their status electronically via QR code. This eliminates the need for paper certificates when accessing public services, transport benefits, or priority access in state institutions.
The agency also highlighted the launch of an online sign-language interpretation service – the first of its kind in Azerbaijan – designed to help citizens with hearing and speech impairments communicate with public bodies. Around 300 users have already accessed the service, according to official figures.
Taken together, the measures signal a shift toward tighter governance of disability assessments – balancing access to support with greater verification. While officials frame the cancellations as corrective rather than punitive, the reforms underline a broader push toward transparency, digitalization, and control in Azerbaijan’s social protection system.
