BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 11. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva attended the opening ceremony of the Nakhchivan Regional DOST Centre under the DOST Agency of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Population on August 11.
The information was released by the Press Service of the President of Azerbaijan.
Minister of Labour and Social Protection of Population Anar Aliyev informed the President and the First Lady about the facilities and conditions created at the centre.
It was reported that the centre will provide citizens with 164 types of social services. The facility will employ 117 staff members and 50 volunteers, with an average of 500–600 citizens expected to be served daily.
All services at the centre are organised according to the “one-stop shop” principle, allowing residents of Nakhchivan to receive social services in a convenient, efficient and accessible manner.
The model enables the delivery of various services, including pensions, employment, social benefits, disability-related services, adoption procedures and other social support mechanisms, in a single transparent location.
The centre will also provide medical and social assessments for persons with disabilities, arrange rehabilitation support based on individual needs and organise referrals to specialised rehabilitation institutions.
During the visit, President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva reviewed high-technology prostheses produced by leading international manufacturers. These devices provide users with natural movement, safety, adaptation to different surfaces and speeds, and faster integration into social and professional life.
So far, more than 620 high-tech prostheses have been provided to over 500 servicemen. In addition, advanced rehabilitation and medical-social services have helped nearly 300 people with war-related disabilities regain their previous health condition.
The programme to provide high-tech prostheses to people with war-related disabilities was launched on the initiative of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.
As a result of Azerbaijan’s social protection policy aimed at strengthening rehabilitation services, the number of rehabilitation equipment categories has increased from 57 to 130. Since the beginning of this year, nearly 300,000 rehabilitation devices have been provided to people with disabilities.
The President and the First Lady also viewed an exhibition of artworks created by beneficiaries of inclusive centres of the ministry, including wood carving, carpet weaving, pottery, fine arts, stained glass and floristry.
Through the dostart.az online platform, these handmade products are sold online, supporting the economic activity and integration of vulnerable groups into the labour market.
President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva were also presented with the project of the Nakhchivan DOST Inclusive Development and Creativity Centre, planned to be established on the basis of the Nakhchivan Regional Information Centre.
It was noted that social skills development services currently provided to people with disabilities in 13 areas will be expanded to 20 areas at the new centre.
Social reforms implemented in Azerbaijan in recent years have received international recognition and more than 300 awards and certificates from various international organisations, including the United Nations Public Service Award for the initiative “Inclusive and Equal Social Protection Services for All”.
DOST centres, established on the initiative of First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, have created a new stage in the delivery of social services. So far, citizens have received 4.6 million social services through these centres, covering 164 service categories, with satisfaction levels reaching approximately 99 percent.
Work continues to expand the DOST network across Azerbaijan. In 2026–2027, DOST reception offices are planned to be established in all district centres of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, while by 2030 the country aims to create a nationwide network consisting of 18 DOST centres, 60 branches and service points.
