22.05.2025
Today, an international conference on "Current Problems of Forensic Psychiatry" dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Department of Psychiatry at the Azerbaijan Medical University has started
The event, organized by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Azerbaijan, AMU and the Center for Forensic Psychiatric Expertise, was attended by specialists from Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus, as well as our country.
Delivering his opening speech, the rector of the Azerbaijan Medical University, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Geray Geraybeyli said that in this anniversary year, the history of the development of the field of mental health in our country, the selfless work of scientists who have suffered on this path, and the great value placed on science and education are commemorated. He noted that the Department of Psychiatry was not only a center of scientific research and academic knowledge, but also a school where thousands of doctors, psychiatrists and psychologists were trained: "The training of qualified medical personnel in Azerbaijan began in 1919 with the establishment of the Medical Faculty of Baku State University. In 1920, the rector, a well-known neurologist, Professor Sergey Nikolayevich Davidenkov organized the Department of Psychoneurology at the Medical Faculty. In 1925, the Department of Psychiatry, which was separated from the Department of Psychoneurology, began independent scientific and pedagogical activity." It was noted that after 1925, during the rectorship of Professor Alexander Perelman, extensive scientific and pedagogical activity was carried out at the Department. A scientific library and a psychological laboratory were created under the Department, and the first research in the field of clinical psychology was also started. The establishment of the independent Azerbaijan Medical Institute in 1930 opened new opportunities for the activities of the Department of Psychiatry. For 20 years, starting in 1939, the department was headed by Professor Dmitry Sergeyevich Ozerechkovsky. After him, the department was headed by the first Doctor of Medical Sciences in psychiatry in Azerbaijan, as well as the first Azerbaijani head of the department, Ahmad Abasguliyev, and then Professor Agabey Sultanov. After him, Professor Geray Geraybeyli, who became the head of the department, stated that the traditions established in the previous period were continued: “The study of the interaction between mental and physical health was chosen as one of the main areas of activity of the department. For the first time in Azerbaijan, the physical health indicators of people suffering from mental illnesses and mental disorders encountered during somatic illnesses were systematically studied. One of the most important innovations was the scientific project we implemented in the field of mental health of children and adolescents together with the University of Chicago.”
Professor G. Garaybali said that the two main events that have affected the scientific activity of the department in the last 5 years were the COVID-19 pandemic and the Second Karabakh War fought for the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan: “As a result of research conducted by our department for the first time on mental disorders arising during the pandemic, clinical protocols and assistance programs were developed. After the 44-day Second Karabakh War, which was written in golden letters in the history of our people, psychological support was provided to the families of martyrs, veterans and victims of terrorism in a phased manner. In total, in the last 5 years, the department has prepared 116 scientific articles, 3 textbooks, 3 monographs, 4 teaching and methodological aids, and 7 clinical protocols. The results have been applied in psychiatric institutions across the country, and many of them have been included in WHO reports, and presented at 23 international and 7 local forums. Over the years, our department has provided science with prominent scientists, signed many international projects, and has been a reliable support for our country in the field of mental health.”
At this grand anniversary event, the rector of AMU, Professor Geray Geraybeyli, paying tribute to the past, emphasized that the achievements of the 100-year-old department will be preserved and passed on to future generations, and wished success to the work of the conference.
Deputy Minister of Health of the Republic of Azerbaijan Nadir Zeynalov delivered a congratulatory speech, talking about the history of the glorious path of the century-old Department of Psychiatry, the scientists who led it during this period, and the successes achieved. He noted that the Department of Psychoneurology, established in 1920 under the Faculty of Medicine of Baku State University, was divided into two independent structures - the Departments of Psychiatry and Neurology 5 years later. Thus, the foundation for the development of psychiatric science in our country was laid. "Psychiatry is a very important field that explores the depths of the human psyche and focuses on human mental health. It is no coincidence that students are very interested in this field."
Deputy Minister N. Zeynalov, recalling that there are various directions of psychiatry, especially noted forensic psychiatry among them, stating that it is a complex field standing at the intersection of medical and legal sciences: "Forensic psychiatry is a field that requires a professional approach from both a scientific and practical point of view. Its role in the fair legal assessment of society and decision-making is invaluable. Forensic psychiatrists are in some cases work with people who have committed crimes, and the judge makes decisions based on their opinions. They have a great burden of both legal and moral responsibility”. At the end of his speech, N.Zeynalov wished the conference success.
Professor Abdullah Yıldırım İbrahimoğlu, Head of the Forensic Medicine Department, Observation and Specialty Department of the Ministry of Justice of Turkey, who spoke as a special guest at the international conference, extended his congratulations on the anniversary. He noted that this magnificent anniversary has contributed to the development of psychiatric science not only in Azerbaijan, but also internationally.
As a clear example of a hundred years of rich experience, the department's global cooperation, openness to scientific innovations and integration of international experience into teaching and practice are commendable.
Head of the Main Department of Forensic Psychiatry of the Central Apparatus of the State Forensic Expertise Committee of the Republic of Belarus, State Forensic Medical Expert-Psychiatrist, Associate Professor, Candidate of Technical Sciences Yuri Ostyanko expressed his deep gratitude to the leadership of AMU and the Department of Psychiatry for the invitation to the anniversary event. The guest noted that the discussions held within the framework of the conference would be useful for regional experts, especially between Azerbaijan and Belarus. will give impetus to the development of scientific and medical relations.
Professor of the Department of Psychiatry and Narcology named after G.I. Zaltsman of the Kazakh State Medical University named after S.D. Asfendiyarov, President of the Regional Public Organization "Association of Specialists in the Field of Mental Health", Doctor of Medical Sciences Sagat Altynbekov congratulated the participants of the event. He noted that the organization he represents highly appreciates the cooperation with AMU and is confident that these relations will expand in the future.
Director General of the Federal State Budgetary Institution "National Medical Research Center of Psychiatry and Narcology named after V.P. Serbsky" of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Head of the Base Organization in the Field of Psychiatry and Narcology of the CIS Member States, Freelance Chief Psychiatrist-Narcologist of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Doctor of Medical Sciences Svetlana Shport congratulated the participants of the event and expressed her satisfaction with her participation in the prestigious anniversary. She considered the conference to be important not only for the Azerbaijani medical field, but also for experts working in the region. Svetlana Shport noted that the close cooperation of the V.P. Serbsky National Medical Research Center for Psychiatry and Narcology with the Department of Psychiatry of the AMU is a great contribution to the medical field of both countries.
Then, a film dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Department of Psychiatry was shown, and the century-old history of the department was reviewed. Professor of the Department of Psychiatry of the AMU, President of the Azerbaijan Psychiatric Association Nadir Ismayilov gave detailed information about the well-known scientists who have headed the department for 100 years and trained here. He noted that although the Institute of Psychiatry was established in Baku in 1927, this scientific center was closed just two years later due to staff shortage: “Because at that time there was not even a single Azerbaijani specialist with a scientific degree. Today, 10 psychiatrists in Azerbaijan have the scientific degree of Doctor of Medical Sciences. 6 professors work at the Department of Psychiatry of the Azerbaijan Medical University. This was possible thanks to the 100-year glorious history of the department and the scientific activities of the scientists who have worked hard on this path. We are confident that this conference will become a valuable platform for both scientific exchange of ideas and new collaborations. Professor N. Ismayilov congratulated all employees, graduates and partners of the Department of Psychiatry and wished everyone success.
After the opening ceremony, the international conference continued its work with parallel sessions. The event included presentations on the organization of forensic psychiatric expertise in Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus. The two-day conference will discuss topical issues such as determining criminal liability in cases of mental disorders, social protection of these individuals, integration of mental health services into medical sanitation, the role of psychiatry in the prevention of war crimes and crimes against humanity, forensic psychiatric expertise in civil cases, psychological aspects of suicide, criminal-psychological characteristics of women who have committed crimes, etc.
