The Shamaki district, a mountainous area in the east of Azerbaijan, is home to about 106,000 people, most of whom live in rural settings.
Accessing health care is difficult for many, owing to inadequate primary health care facilities. However, things are changing for these communities with the PROACT Care project implemented by WHO through the Universal Health Coverage Partnership (UHC Partnership).A pilot project in Shamakhi is providing strong evidence that a primary health care approach—which is focused on training health workers and empowering communities to take charge of their health—is an effective way to build a solid foundation for a more responsive and resilient health system throughout the country.