Foreign nationals and stateless persons serving prison sentences in Azerbaijan will now be eligible for mandatory health insurance (MHI) coverage, according to amendments approved by President Ilham Aliyev to the country’s Law on Health Insurance.
The updated legislation expands the list of individuals covered under the Mandatory Health Insurance (MHI) system, ensuring access to essential medical services for all persons deprived of liberty, regardless of citizenship.
Under the new Article 15-2.1, the category of insured persons now includes Azerbaijani citizens, refugees recognized by the state and under the protection of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, as well as foreign nationals and stateless persons detained or serving fixed-term or life sentences – with the exception of those in open-type institutions.
The reform is part of Azerbaijan’s broader effort to strengthen the inclusivity of its healthcare system and align medical coverage standards with international human rights practices. By extending MHI benefits to non-citizens in custody, the government aims to improve healthcare access and ensure humane conditions within the country’s correctional facilities.
