Türkiye is placing a strong emphasis on the importance of sharing its expertise in disaster health management on a global scale, highlighting the need for international cooperation to save lives during major emergencies. At the World Health Organization (WHO) Ministerial Conference held in Istanbul, centered on “Protecting Health in Earthquakes – Strengthening Health Security Through Earthquake Emergency Management,” Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu underscored the global nature of earthquake challenges. He called for scientific collaboration and international solidarity to address these pressing issues.
The conference gathered delegates from about 40 nations to explore ways to enhance disaster preparedness and improve healthcare systems’ resilience against earthquakes and other emergencies. Memişoğlu brought attention to Türkiye’s experience in disaster response, especially following the catastrophic earthquakes in February 2023. During this time, Türkiye deployed over 138,000 healthcare workers, emergency responders, and support staff. The country also conducted one of its largest medical evacuation efforts, relocating more than 51,000 patients to hospitals outside the affected areas and swiftly setting up field hospitals and emergency medical facilities.
Memişoğlu detailed significant advancements in Türkiye’s healthcare infrastructure, driven by investments in resilient hospitals, emergency medical services, and digital health systems. Air ambulance services and National Medical Rescue Teams (UMKE) have also been enhanced, with the introduction of the GÖKBEY ambulance helicopter, a domestically developed aircraft designed for delivering intensive care in challenging disaster terrains.
Looking forward, Türkiye is actively preparing for potential future disasters, such as a major earthquake in the Marmara region. To this end, the country has launched a comprehensive earthquake preparedness model. It has also introduced what it considers the world’s first Public Health Services in Earthquakes Guide, which includes detailed response plans for Istanbul and other high-risk areas. Memişoğlu reiterated Türkiye’s dedication to aiding disaster-stricken countries by sharing its expertise, trained personnel, and emergency response capabilities, emphasizing that facing large-scale disasters requires collective effort beyond any single nation.