Azerbaijan's healthcare system is on a transformative journey, though not without significant challenges including inadequate infrastructure, medical equipment, unbalanced distribution of healthcare personnel, and varying levels of quality of care throughout the country. [1] Training quality is compromised by outdated curricula, traditional teaching methods, a shortage of qualified instructors, and limited practical training facilities within the health workforce education system. To address these issues, the World Health Organization (WHO) partnered with key local institutions, such as Azerbaijan Medical University (AMU), the Azerbaijan State Advanced Training Institute for Doctors (ASATID), and various medical colleges offering pre-bachelor degree programs. This collaborative effort focuses on enhancing teaching skills, refining assessment methods, improving clinical proficiency, and strengthening emergency care management, all tailored to Azerbaijan's needs. Achievements include the establishment of new departments and training programs at AMU, the integration of competency-based skills training, and the introduction of innovative educational strategies, benefiting over 500 staff members. These initiatives, supported by WHO's ongoing mentorship and technical guidance, demonstrate significant progress in revitalizing Azerbaijan's healthcare education system. The Government of Azerbaijan has prioritized "human capital" development as a strategic objective, a focus that is echoed in the current United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) as a designated area of work. Within this scope, the development of the health workforce is a key component. This initiative also reflects WHO/Europe’s enhanced collaboration with Member States, agreed through “Delivering United Action for Better Health – a strategy for collaboration between the WHO Regional Office for Europe and Member States in the WHO European Region”, in this case working more closely with national partners to mobilize skills, knowledge and expertise. 

WHO's SDG3 recovery funds facilitated the expansion and acceleration of the Shamakhi pilot project through three tranches of funding.[8] Then, to enhance training quality nationwide, a team of four WHO experts collaborated with the Ministry of Health to forge strong partnerships with leaders in educational institutions, providing technical guidance and ongoing mentorship to devise an innovative educational strategy. In 2022, AMU introduced two new departments: the Department of Medical and Health Sciences Education (DMHSE) and the Department of Emergency Medicine (DEM). Concurrently, the Azerbaijan State Advanced Training Institute for Doctors (ASATID) established a dedicated training working group.

AMU launched faculty development programmes aimed at modernizing teaching methods, refining assessment techniques, enhancing clinical skills, and elevating emergency care management standards. Training materials, tailored from WHO's global resources by WHO Azerbaijan, were specifically designed to meet the country’s unique requirements. Remarkably, 30 percent of AMU's and 80 percent of ASATID’s faculty participated in DMHSE-led training, leading to the certification becoming mandatory for staff contract renewals.

-Dr Samir Cavadlı, Head of Department of Medicine and Health Sciences Education, Azerbaijan Medical University

Volunteer faculty from various departments gradually transitioned to permanent positions within these new departments. This transition facilitated the integration of competency-based clinical skills training and objective structured clinical examinations (OSCE) for DMHSE and nursing students during the 2022-2023 academic year. Additionally, the Emergency Medicine Clerkship Programme was launched, a pioneering initiative in undergraduate emergency medical care education in Azerbaijan. In June 2023, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between WHO Azerbaijan and AMU, further solidifying their collaboration. AMU continues to focus on enhancing faculty development, providing structured training for students, rejuvenating the curriculum, and fostering academic dialogue through seminars and international congresses.

At ASATID, the Training of Trainers (ToT) model was implemented. In 2022, WHO experts orchestrated a seven-day programme that has since engaged over 100 participants. Alumni of earlier ToT sessions have taken on leadership roles, concentrating on updating teaching methodologies in health professional education and promoting ongoing professional growth among the faculty, thereby ensuring the longevity and effectiveness of the training.

-Dr Mətanət Qaraxanova, Azerbaijan State Advanced Training Institute for Doctors (ASATID) Faculty Staff Member

To date, over 500 staff members have participated in these courses, with the "essential teaching skills" module now a compulsory component for all academic personnel at both AMU and ASATID. WHO continues its support, providing both technical and capacity-building assistance, to strengthen Azerbaijan's medical education system.