July 22, 2025 – Baku
A recent video showing footage from an in-vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure at Azerbaijan’s Medipoint Clinic has sparked widespread outrage, prompting a formal investigation by the Ministry of Health’s Analytical Expertise Center.
In response to an inquiry by Oxu.Az, the Center confirmed that a dedicated task force has been established to investigate the matter thoroughly:
“A serious investigation will be carried out, and necessary actions will be taken. The public will be informed about the results,” the statement read.
The controversy erupted after U.S.-based Azerbaijani journalist Ganira Atashova shared footage showing blogger Arifa Mammadova entering the operating room during an IVF procedure—accompanied by a film crew—at the Medipoint Clinic. The video, intended as a promotional piece, was reportedly deleted from social media after a wave of criticism.
Atashova, posting a strongly worded statement, identified the surgeon as gynecologist Dr. Vusala Rahimova and condemned the blurring of medical and marketing boundaries:
“An operating room is not a fashion runway. It’s unacceptable to turn a surgical space into a promotional stage. In countries like the U.S., only licensed medical personnel are allowed inside during surgery—and cameras require written approval from an ethics committee.”
“Here, we have a non-medical individual filming content next to the surgeon. Why is this being tolerated?” she asked, directing her questions to the Ministry of Health and private clinic administrators.
Atashova added that she neither knows the doctor nor the blogger personally but insists that such access would not have been possible without the clinic’s permission:
“Dr. Vusala Rahimova, how could you allow this? You’re part of this country’s intellectual elite.”
This is not the first time surgical room conduct has drawn criticism in Azerbaijan. Previously, gynecologist Leman Aliyeva faced disciplinary action after organizing a birthday celebration inside a delivery room during childbirth.
The incident has reignited concerns over patient privacy, medical ethics, and the growing trend of commercialization in healthcare, with calls mounting for stricter regulation of filming in clinical settings.
