A planned inspection by Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Health has uncovered unauthorized in-vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures being carried out at a private medical facility in Baku.
According to information released by the ministry’s Analytical Expertise Center, an unscheduled audit was conducted at Melhem International Hospital. Inspectors determined that the clinic had been providing IVF services despite the procedure not being included in its official medical license.
Following the investigation, a protocol was drawn up against the hospital’s director and legal representative, Fuad Qadim oglu Alizade, under Article 215.1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, which covers medical services performed without proper licensing. The case was subsequently transferred to court.
A district court found Alizade guilty and imposed a fine of 6,000 manat, the maximum penalty for legal entities under the relevant article. Azerbaijani law sets fines ranging from 300 to 500 manat for individuals, 800 to 1,000 manat for officials, and 6,000 to 8,000 manat for companies that provide medical services outside the scope of their license.
The Health Ministry has not yet commented on whether additional sanctions or oversight measures will follow.
