Companies affiliated with Kamaladdin Gafarov, a member of the Health Committee of the Milli Majlis (Azerbaijan legislature) and former Deputy Minister of Health, secured vaccine tenders from the Ministry of Health's Innovation and Supply Center. Only 44.5 percent of the vaccines administered were used to vaccinate children, while 51.1 percent of the doses went to waste, the Chamber of Accounts reported.

"On February 4, when I woke up, I noticed rashes on my child's belly. The day before, he had been complaining about ear pain. When I saw the sores, I took him to the village pediatrician and asked what was happening. The doctor diagnosed it as measles, prescribed some vitamins, and directed us to the regional center for further examination in the infection department."

Konul Aliyeva, a resident of Mashkhan Village in Astara, is the mother of 5-year-old Yusif, who tragically passed away on February 8, 2024. Yusif attended the Russian section of School No. 2, named after Ziya Bunyadov, in the Astara district for pre-school preparation. According to his mother, he caught measles there.

Screenshot: APA TV

The doctor said he was busy with elections and couldn't come.

"On the night of February 6, the child began to feel pain in his whole body, especially his leg and arm. He couldn't sleep. When I woke up the next morning, I saw that the child's whole body was stiff, and he couldn't move. He couldn't even turn his head. I called the doctor and told him I was bringing the child in for an examination. The doctor replied that he was busy with the elections and couldn't come. One doctor was in Baku, while another was in the district. The presidential election was taking place on the 7th."

So Yusif's parents took him to the Emergency Medical Hospital on the recommendation of Dr. Tarzan Dadashov, head of the Infectious Diseases Department at Astara District Central Hospital.

“When his health deteriorated, instead of saying bring him to the hospital, they (first doctors) prescribed medication over the phone. Upon arrival at the hospital, the medical team administered two doses of medication to relieve the pain. However, the child's pain continued. The following day, the doctor contacted the child's primary care team, who recommended taking him home and returning the next day. Dr. Tarzan remarked that as long as the child's temperature wasn't high, there was no cause for concern,” his mother said.

So Yusif was brought home. He passed away the morning of February 8.

In Azerbaijan, measles started to spread rapidly in November 2023. The country ranked first in the European region for the number of infections. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 30,379 reported cases of measles occurred in Azerbaijan from August 2023 to September 2024.

In terms of infections per 1 million people, Azerbaijan ranks first among countries in the European region. 

WHO states that measles can be prevented through the administration of two doses of the vaccine. Did Azerbaijan fully meet this vaccination requirement before the spread of the infection?

The Action Program for Immunoprophylaxis of Infectious Diseases focuses on ensuring full and timely vaccination coverage for children. Based on the preventive vaccination schedule, children up to 6 years old receive a total of 9 vaccinations starting from birth. Vaccinations against measles, rubella, and mumps are administered at 12 months and again at 6 years old.

From 2016 to 2022, children's immunization against infectious diseases was conducted in medical institutions managed by the Medical Territorial Units Management Union (TABİB). In 2023, TABIB was assigned to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the immunization program for infectious diseases.

In 2020, the country recorded its lowest measles vaccination rates due to restrictions implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to data released by the State Statistics Committee, 82.3 percent of children received the first dose that year, and 78.9 percent received the second dose. By 2023, vaccination rates against measles, rubella, and epidemic parotitis among children ages 1 to 2 rose to 96.2 percent, and coverage for children under 6 reached 93.2 percent.

Chamber of Accounts cites purchases from local companies at inflated prices

The audit conducted by the Chamber of Accounts regarding the immunoprophylaxis of children against infectious diseases disputes claims made by official institutions about vaccination. The audit states only 44.5 percent of the vaccines administered in 2016-2022 were used for child vaccinations. It states 51.1 percent of the vaccine doses were rendered ineffective and wasted. It states the storage conditions for vaccines at the Innovation and Supply Center (ISC) did not meet required standards.

The audit revealed a shortage of medical institutions and pediatricians involved in vaccinations. It noted that staff appointments in the "Pediatrics" and "Infectious Diseases" specialties were primarily made in the capital of Baku. It states that nearly half of 144 doctor-epidemiologist positions were vacant in the 74 Epidemiological Centers across the country. 

A survey by the Chamber of Accounts on vacant positions stated that pediatricians and epidemiologists were underpaid, resulting in a lack of available doctors for children. On average, 44.6 percent of vaccinations were not administered on time.

Tenders on the government procurement website show that vaccines and medical devices worth approximately 20 million manats (about $US11.8 million) were purchased from UNICEF during the audit period. The Chamber of Accounts, which investigated the use of 42 million manats (about $US24.78 million), noted the institutions did not take full advantage of their cooperation with UNICEF. As a result, materials were sourced from local companies at higher prices.

Company related to the former deputy health minister

The Ministry of Health has not disclosed which companies were supplying the vaccine. Zeytun Pharmaceuticals LLC appears in the list of tenders for public procurement announced between 2016 and 2022 and was included in the Chamber of Accounts inspection.

This company, which sells wholesale and retail medicines, won tenders announced by the Ministry of Health's Innovation and Supply Center. In 2017, the company imported vaccines, diagnostics, and medical devices valued at 304,194 manats (about $US,179,500). In 2018, the total increased to 305,473 manats (about $US180,000) in the first transaction and increased to 1,255,269 manats (about $US740,000) in the second. In 2019, the value was 1,296,782 manats (about $US765,000).

Zeytun Pharmaceuticals LLC won the tender competition announced by the Health Support Center in 2024. The contract signed is valued at 396,480 manats (about $US234,000) and covers the purchase of vaccines for measles and rubella infections. The purchase agreement stated that in July 2024, the company provided the Health Support Center with measles and mumps vaccines valued at 396,480 manats (about $US234,000). Innovation and Supply Center of the Ministry of Health paid 3. 558. 198, 64 manats to buy vaccines from Zeytun Pharmaceuticals LLC between 2017-2024.

Zeytun Pharmaceuticals LLC was registered in 2014 at House 5, Apartment 15, Niyazi Street, Sabail District in Baku. This address belonged to Abulfaz Abdullazadeh, former director of the Analytical Expertise Center of the Ministry of Health and deputy to former Minister of Health Ogtay Shiraliyev. The company maintained this registered address until July 2016.

The "Ethical Behavior of State Servants in Health Authorities" rules state that civil servants must avoid conflicts of interest during their service and not misuse their official powers for personal gain.

Company affiliated to the MP

Solamedikal LLC is another company that secured a tender to purchase measles vaccines worth 247,446 manats (about $US146,000) at a time when measles infections peaked. The tender included procurement of live lyophilized measles and rubella vaccines, along with syringes.

According to the state registry, Ruslan Akif oglu Salimov is the legal representative of Solamedikal LLC, a company founded in November 2019 at 18 Mammad Araz Street, Narimanov District, Baku.

The Central Election Commission voter list shows that Ruslan Salimov is registered in Kalband village, Ismayilli District. But  residents of that village said has been living in Baku for many years.  Salimov was unaware of this companys's participation in the tender when a journalist called him. 

Solamedikal LLC has ties to Kanon Medical Center, founded in 2008 by Kamaladdin Gafarov, currently an MP from the ruling party. He was also affiliated with AzeriMed Closed Joint Stock Company, involved in selling pharmaceutical brands including Kanon, Zafran Aptek, Zafran Hospital, Günebakhan Aptek, Medical Market and Darman Tap.

An affiliated company, AzeriMed LLC, was registered between 2009-2023 where the MP Gafarov was registered. But his public information was subsequently omitted from the voter list maintained by the Central Election Commission.

Gafarov is a member of the Health Committee of the Milli Majlis. In 2014-2015, he served as Deputy Director General at the state-owned National Oncology Center, which is directed by Dr. Jamil Aliyev, the uncle of President Ilham Aliyev.

Kanon LLC, a company affiliated with Gafarov, collaborates with a bank owned by the ruling family. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Aptekonline.az, a subsidiary of Kanon MMC that specializes in online sale of medications, launched a discount campaign for cardholders of Pasha Bank, associated with the daughters of President Aliyev. As part of the campaign, orders over 10 manats (about US$6) were delivered free of charge to the bank's customers. Aptekonline sells medications prescribed for oncological diseases.

Screenshot: social media

The law governing the ethical behavior for Members of Parliament prohibits them from engaging in entrepreneurial, commercial, or other paid activities except for scientific, pedagogical, and creative work. Parliament's Disciplinary Commission, of which Gafarov is a member, consider such cases.

Conclusion

The Chamber of Accounts statements on the immunization of children, along with registry data, reveals serious issues with vaccination efforts. Companies supplying vaccines are linked to a former high-ranking official from the Ministry of Health and an MP. These companies also have ties to a bank owned by members of the President's family.

The Ministry of Health hides measles-related deaths statistics. The State Statistics Committee commented that deaths from measles are not included in the "monitored indicators list" so the institution does not collect statistics in this category. 

Recent reports have indicated measles-related deaths in Baku, Hajigabul, Jalilabad, Gazakh, Shirvan, Gobustan and Shaki district.

Monthly statistics published on the official website of Central Hospital of the Astara district, where little Yusuf was treated, state that the hospital's effectiveness was hundred percent, with more than 10,000 people visiting the hospital during the month. The death of 5-year-old Yusuf is not reflected in these statistics.