Nakhchivan has an ancient health history. Owing to the widespread natural medicine plants different illnesses could have been treated and this experience has been alive through the generations. Obviously, at that time medical service was carried out by ignorant interim doctors, particularly by bone-setters, loghmans and midwives. The professional medical service dates back to the second half of 19th century.

It is clear from archive materials that according to the law of Tsarist Russia on medical staff in southern Caucasus, 1 doctor, 2 assistant-doctors and 1 midwife were appointed there. To this end, Russian doctors and assistant-doctors were sent to the regions. The first medical center in Nakhchivan was opened in 1889 in Sharur region. Even if some achievements in medical field were obtained during Tsarist Russia period, the improvement of health system was realized in Soviet period. The first health-care department of Nakhchivan was founded in October 1920 and subsequently the opening of medical clinics was launched. In 1924, the health-care department was transformed into Nakhchivan AR public health commission (this agency has been called as Ministry of Health since 1946). This breakthrough triggered the development of the health sector. In general, the development process of health system throughout Soviet Union period was one of the great achievements of our nation.

Starting from the late Soviet Union period, even though there were some deficits as to health system of the autonomous republic in the wake of economic and political problems, it could be taken under control after consolidation of the independence of Azerbaijan, and through the reform programs the integration period of the health system of Nakhchivan into world health system was launched.

Currently, one of the most important tasks before the state is to strengthen the protection of public health system and to increase the level of medical service. In the framework of wide-range reforms being conducted, new medical centres are established; the old ones are re-established after capital repairs and provided with modern medical equipments. During 2000-2005, 48 medical centers were established, capital repairs were held in 35 medical centers with modern medical equipments in all regions of the autonomous republic including the farthest settlements. The 2006 was same in that regard. The best achievement of the health system in 2006 was the Nakhchivan Diagnostics Center, the construction of which was concluded same year. The Center, comprised of 350 doctors and medical staff, has many sections such as stationer, cardio-surgery and emergency.

In 2006, moreover, 11 special doctor departments, 2 assistant-midwife points and the central hospital of Kangarli district were opened; capital repairs and restoration work were carried out in 2 hospitals, including Central Children Hospital named after A.Aliyev. Besides, in 2007, Hospital City in Sharur district provided with modern medical equipments, Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic Lung Illnesses Clinic, Clinic for Mental Diseases, Child Rehabilitation Center, Infants' House, Aralig village hospital in Sharur region, 6 special doctor departments and 2 assistant-midwife points were opened.

Care and attention attached to further development of health system in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic was carried on incessantly in 2008 as well. Construction of new health centers, supply of current health-care institutions with advanced medical equipment increased the level of medical service. The opening of Julfa District Central Hospital and Duzdagh Physiotherapy Center in 2008 was of special importance. Furthermore, Nakhchivan Emergency Medical Center, Nehram village hospital (with Nehram maternity home), 5 doctor ambulatories and 3 assistant-midwife points started functioning in the autonomous republic.

8th congress of Turkic World Pediatricians in June 2008 has been productive for pediatricians of the autonomous republic and paved the way for new cooperation opportunities.

As one of the important dimensions of socio-economic policy conducted in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, protection of people's health, improvement of medical services and opening of new medical centers were kept on in 2009 as well. Namely, modern buildings for the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic Maternity Center, Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic Oncologic Center and Central Hospital of Shahbuz district were opened in 2009. Furthermore, construction of bacteriology laboratory building of Nakhchivan AR White Lung Diseases Dispensary and modern wards for Nakhchivan AR Duzdag Physiotherapy Hospital, and renovation of the buildings of Nakhchivan AR Hygiene and Epidemiology Center and Nakhchivan city Hygiene and Epidemiology Center were completed. Simultaneously, construction of the buildings of ambulatories in 4 different villages and of assistant-midwife points in 2 villages was ended up in 2009.

Apart from aforementioned, in 2009, Nakhchivan City Infant House and the Center for Support to Families were opened.

As an important dimension of state policy in the health service, in the autonomous republic medical inspection and surgical operations of poor people thanks to state funds were carried on in 2009.

In the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, at present, there are republic hospital named after N.Narimanov, 7 central hospitals of districts, the Nakhchivan city polyclinic named after academician Z.Aliyeva, Diagnostics-Treatment Center, maternity hospital, a village maternity house, an eye hospital, 7 clinics, the Children Republic Hospital named after A.Aliyev, a rehabilitation center for mothers and children, the Children Hospital of Sharur district, the center for infectious diseases, 10 health centers, physiotherapy hospitals (Duzdag physiotherapy hospital, Badamli physiotherapy hospital and Daridag arsenic water dispensary), 28 village hospitals, the union of court-medical investigation and pathologic anatomy, the rehabilitation center for invalids, an infant house, an ambulatory polyclinic, 61 doctor ambulatories, a dentist polyclinic, 121 assistant-midwife points, 5 first-aid stations, 7 hygiene epidemiology center and 1 sanitary quarantine inspection center.