Özant: Our Problems Multiply with Uncontrolled Population Growth

During the conference, issues in the healthcare sector and proposed solutions were discussed. Attention was drawn to the problems caused by "changing and increasing population" and "administrative weaknesses," as well as the rising standards of dental and medical education.

Views on the conditions of public and private healthcare institutions, as well as healthcare professionals, were shared during the conference. It was emphasized that the trust and peace in the country have been disrupted, corruption has increased, and therefore, there is a need for a mental health policy to be established.

The conference also addressed issues such as "prescription fraud" and "fake diplomas and corruption," while also highlighting the need to resume negotiations for a solution to the Cyprus problem.

The week-long celebration of Medicine Week, which includes discussions, seminars, exhibitions, balls, and theater events, will culminate in a Medical Ceremony at the Cyprus Turkish Medical Association Conference Hall on Thursday at 10:00, where institutional awards and plaques of honor will be presented to doctors who have completed 50 and 25 years in the profession.

Ahmet Özant began his speech by recounting the history of March 14th as Medicine Day. He continued by stating that despite the longstanding problems being voiced, they remain unresolved, and the problems in all areas are increasing exponentially with the uncontrolled increase in population.

Özant listed various unresolved issues, including the need for amendments in the penal code concerning violence against healthcare workers, addressing the grievances stemming from migration laws affecting doctors, strengthening emergency services, and enacting legislation regulating the rights of all doctors.

He emphasized the importance of monitoring medical and dental education standards and insisted on the participation of representatives from the Cyprus Turkish Medical Association in these monitoring processes.

Özant also called for the improvement of working conditions for healthcare professionals, the establishment of a General Health Insurance system through collaboration with all stakeholders, and stressed the necessity of working together with the Cyprus Turkish Medical Association in formulating health policies and making decisions related to health.

Regarding the failure to implement electronic prescription systems and the prescription fraud issue, Özant criticized the relevant minister for excluding the Cyprus Turkish Medical Association and failing to address the problems effectively.

He described the situation of "corruption and decay" within institutions as deeply rooted and demanded the immediate cessation of proposed amendments to the laws governing the Higher Education Planning, Evaluation, Accreditation, and Coordination Council (YÖDAK).

Attributing the increase in irregularities and corruption to "administrative weakness and the ensuing lack of oversight," Özant stated that society is experiencing significant losses and decline, resulting in the loss of young and talented individuals from the community.

Özant also called for the determination of mental health policies, emphasizing that in a country where trust and peace are no longer present and corruption is rampant, society has become one plagued by exhaustion.

Touching on the Palestine-Israel conflict, he stressed the need to hold war criminals accountable and urged for immediate negotiations to resolve the Cyprus problem, stating that becoming a part of international law, along with the solution we deserve, is of vital importance.

In conclusion, Özant extended his greetings to all doctors who are striving to do their best despite adverse conditions, wishing them a happy Medicine Day.

Following Özant, Ömer Taşargöl, the President of the Cyprus Turkish Medical Chamber, and Halil Bakkaloğlu, the President of the Cyprus Turkish Dental Chamber, also addressed the conference, emphasizing the need for healthcare policies to be tailored to the changing population dynamics and for medical education standards to be maintained and improved.