Health Sciences University Mekteb-i Tıbbiye-i Şahane 2022 Award Ceremony was held at Bağlarbaşı Congress and Culture Center.
In his speech at the ceremony, Minister Varank reminded the saying “It is its history that gives personality to an institution” and said, “It would not be wrong if we call the School of Medicine ‘the spirit of Turkish modern medicine’. It was institutionalized with the Medical School. This precious school has been a pioneer in the history of Turkish medicine with its experience since its establishment. Thanks to the physicians, surgeons and pharmacists it trained, the foundations of many health institutions in Anatolia were laid.” he said.
Stating that this legacy continues with the University of Health Sciences today, Varank said:
“The University of Health Sciences is an international school in the field of health with its nearly 3,000 professors, more than 20 thousand students and dozens of faculties. Its services now extend to Central Asia and Africa. I personally attended the opening of the Faculty of Medicine in Somalia. With the graduates from here. It is very valuable to have come across this distinguished institution. Today, this distinguished institution also hosts one of the most prestigious awards in Turkey. 11 scientists and researchers were deemed worthy of the Mekteb-i Tıbbiye-i Şahane Academic Awards for their successful work in their fields. At the same time, their work in healthcare Mekteb-i Tıbbiye-i Şahane Media Awards will be presented to our 8 media representatives who create social awareness in the field. Our school-member athletes who have been successful in intercollegiate competitions will also receive the Mekteb-i Tıbbiyye-i Şahane Sports Awards.”
“WE BUILT A HIGH TECHNOLOGY, HUMAN-FRIENDLY HEALTH SYSTEM”
Minister Varank stated that a healthy mind is found in a healthy body and that this logical relationship is also valid for social laws.
Emphasizing that they have made a revolution in the field of health in Turkey with this awareness, Varank continued his words as follows:
“Thanks to the health infrastructure we have established since 2002 and the health insurance we have provided, we have set the best example of being a social state in the world. While Turkey’s total health expenditure was only 18 billion liras in 2002, this figure has exceeded 250 billion liras today. While establishing innovative structures, we started to train the most qualified health personnel in our country, from doctors to nurses. We have increased the total number of health personnel from 295 thousand to 1 million. We know that the quality of our health system is directly proportional to the well-being and quality of life of health workers. In this context, we also take steps to improve the living standards of our health workers. We did not hesitate to throw it away when necessary.
Thanks to all these breakthroughs, we have built a high-tech, more importantly, human-friendly health system. We wouldn’t be wrong if we say that the health system of the world and Turkey gave the most difficult test during the pandemic period. However, we watched together how developed countries fell into class during the pandemic period. So to speak, they fell into a coma and could not get up from the operating table. Turkey, on the other hand, has successfully passed this test with its health ecosystem, from city hospitals to domestic vaccines, from doctors to technicians. So much so that Turkey’s fight against Kovid-19 was shown as an example all over the world. The statesmen who visited us asked how we achieved this. “Can you share this experience with us?” he demanded. The pandemic once again showed how accurate steps we have taken in the field of health.”
“WE WILL ACCELERATE DOMESTIC AND NATIONAL PRODUCTION IN PHARMACEUTICALS, MEDICAL DEVICES AND HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES”
Noting that the field of health has gone through a much faster change and transformation process with Kovid-19, Minister Varank said that with the developments in technology, there are important breakthroughs in processes such as diagnosis, treatment, post-treatment and preventive health in the field of health.
Stating that they continue to create strategies from artificial intelligence to biotechnology in order to keep up with this change and maintain competitiveness, Varank used the following statements:
“As the Ministry, we have prepared the Smart Life and Health, Products and Technologies Roadmap. With this roadmap that we will announce soon, we will accelerate domestic and national production in pharmaceuticals, medical devices and health informatics technologies, which we have determined as strategic areas. From biotechnology production, to the National Pharmaceutical Molecule Library” As the Ministry, we will lead the transformation of Turkey in the field of health with many projects until the establishment of the National Technology Move. We will make our country independent in the health sector and make it a global base within the framework of the vision of the National Technology Move. While doing this, we will continue to work in cooperation with our universities, academics and young friends. .
Just 2 years ago, countries closed their borders to each other, and they did not share a loaf of bread with each other, let alone their vaccinations. This bitter experience reminded us once again how vital the development of national technologies is for a country. Under the leadership of our President, we started our struggle to build a competitive and innovative Turkey in every field with the vision of the National Technology Move long ago. On this path, we highlight two important elements. The first is R&D activities, and the second is the qualified human resources to manage this R&D. From technoparks to design centers, it would not be wrong to say that we have established Turkey’s R&D ecosystem from scratch.”
ADVICE TO YOUTH “ALWAYS LOOK AT SCIENCE AND FOLLOW KNOWLEDGE”
Pointing out that there were 5 technoparks on paper in Turkey when they came to power, Varank said that they increased the number of technoparks to over 90 in a 20-year period.
Noting that there is a demand for new technoparks from universities all over Turkey, Varank said, “As a result of our activities, our R&D expenditure has increased to 54 billion liras. The fact that a large part of this expenditure is made by our private sector is also an achievement that we value. The main dynamic behind these successes is trained people. The way to increase our competitiveness is through investments in our human resources.” said.
Minister Varank stated that as the Ministry, there is support for all stakeholders, from young researchers to experienced scientists, and made the following assessment:
“With the International Leading Researchers Program, we bring academics from the world’s best universities and research centers to our country. We provide scholarships to our young people in a wide range from high school to doctoral degrees. With TEKNOFEST, we instill the R&D culture in young people with science festivals, and develop their talents with schools such as DENEYAP and Ekol 42. All these supports of course do not go unrequited. Our young people always and everywhere make us proud. Our girls became the second in Europe by winning 1 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze medals at the 11th European Girls Mathematics Olympiads last week. a category opened and it was held for the first time last year. This year we will host these Olympics in Turkey. The girls will compete in Antalya.
We believe that our young people will achieve many successes by participating in the competitive R&D ecosystem. While the direction someone has drawn for our youth is full of zigzags and dark agendas, the direction we have drawn is towards a bright future in the light of science and technology. Our request from our youth is this: Never stop dreaming. Remember that dreaming is half the success. Never delay your work. Stay away from vicious arguments that will distract you from your path. Always turn to science and run after knowledge. You will see that as long as you chase after knowledge, we will always be with you with our support. Trust yourself.”
Mentioning that our history is full of the discoveries of our scientists that have cost the whole world, Varank said, “If you work with confidence, I believe that new Aziz Sancarlar, Özlem Türeciler, Uğur Şahinler will emerge from among you. The existence of young people like you is the biggest guarantee of a bright Turkey in the future. May it help us all. I congratulate our scientists, academicians, media representatives and athletes who have been awarded the award. I would like to congratulate Prof. Dr. Cevdet Erdöl for establishing the Smokeless University. This is an example for the whole of Turkey and to cooperate with YÖK We need to unite and make our universities smoke-free.” he said.
TURKISH CITIZEN TO GO TO SPACE
Emphasizing the importance of space and aviation medicine studies, Minister Varank said, “We will soon make an announcement to select the people that Turkey will send into space. The center established by the University of Health Sciences will also be very useful for us. People who will go to space need to have special conditions. This center is the first of its kind in the near future. “One of the users will be our Ministry. We will test the Turkish citizen who will go to space.” said.
University of Health Sciences Rector Prof. Dr. Cevdet Erdöl also made a presentation on the activities of the Health Sciences University. Erdöl, in his presentation, stated that they are responsible for the education of 35,800 students, when the students from across the country and abroad are counted as well as the specialist students in total. (AA)