BAKU, August 30 — The recent trend of doctors, particularly surgeons, publishing videos of medical procedures on social media has sparked intense public debate in Azerbaijan. While some view it as a step toward transparency and medical education, others see it as a violation of patient rights and professional ethics.
Experts stress that surgical videos may only be shared with the patient’s written consent and in strict adherence to ethical standards.
One case now under scrutiny involves surgeon Zaid Zaidov of the Republican Clinical Hospital and Davinci International Hospital, who uploaded explicit footage of an operation to his social media account. The posts provoked widespread concern among users and triggered discussion across society.
Surgeon’s Response
Speaking to Bizim.Media, Zaidov defended his actions:
“I don’t broadcast live streams — I only post recorded videos of surgeries. The Ministry of Health has not introduced any ban on this. There is nothing illegal in these recordings — they show a normal operation, and many doctors and students benefit from them. No one has personally complained to me. The only restriction is on live broadcasting.”
Health Ministry Reaction
In response, the Ministry of Health’s Center for Analytical Expertise announced that the case has been taken under review and will be investigated.
“The incident will be examined, and the public will be informed about the results,” the agency stated.
Legal and Ethical Boundaries
Under Azerbaijani law and the Ministry of Health’s code of ethics, disseminating medical information or images of a patient without consent constitutes a violation and may result in disciplinary or legal action.
Key requirements for publishing such material include:
Written consent from the patient, even if their identity is not directly revealed.
Strict confidentiality: if a patient’s face, name, or any identifying features are visible, the material is considered medical secrecy and its publication is unlawful.
Professional ethics: surgeries must not be turned into a spectacle; all representations of medical intervention must show respect for the patient and uphold professional responsibility.
The investigation into Zaidov’s case is expected to clarify whether these rules were violated.
