Türkiye is underscoring its dedication to sharing its expertise in disaster health management with nations across the globe, highlighting the importance of international collaboration to safeguard lives during significant emergencies. During the World Health Organization (WHO) Ministerial Conference on “Protecting Health in Earthquakes – Strengthening Health Security Through Earthquake Emergency Management,” held in Istanbul, Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu emphasized that earthquakes present a worldwide challenge necessitating scientific cooperation and global solidarity.
The conference, which gathered delegates from approximately 40 countries, focused on enhancing disaster preparedness and fortifying healthcare systems to withstand earthquakes and other crises. Memişoğlu pointed out Türkiye’s extensive experience in disaster response, particularly in the aftermath of the catastrophic February 2023 earthquakes. In response to those events, over 138,000 healthcare workers, emergency responders, and support staff were mobilized. Additionally, Türkiye executed one of its largest medical evacuation efforts, relocating more than 51,000 patients to hospitals outside the affected region and swiftly setting up field hospitals and emergency medical facilities.
Türkiye has notably bolstered its healthcare infrastructure with investments in resilient hospitals, emergency medical services, digital health systems, air ambulance operations, and the deployment of National Medical Rescue Teams (UMKE). The health minister also highlighted the introduction of the GÖKBEY ambulance helicopter, developed domestically to provide intensive care during disasters in challenging terrains.
Looking forward, Türkiye is intensifying its preparations for future calamities, including the possibility of a major earthquake in the Marmara region. The country has rolled out a comprehensive earthquake preparedness model and claims to have introduced the world’s first guide for Public Health Services in Earthquakes, which includes detailed response plans for Istanbul and other high-risk areas.
Memişoğlu reaffirmed Türkiye’s pledge to aid disaster-stricken countries by offering its expertise, trained personnel, and emergency response capabilities. He emphasized that confronting large-scale disasters is not a task that any single nation can manage alone, advocating for continued international cooperation.