Dr. Sonsuz talked about health services in Turkish culture at Yunus Emre Institute London

Dr. Aliye Aslı Sonsuz from Istanbul Medipol University School of Health Sciences delivered a speech titled “Health Services in Turkish Culture: From the Ottoman Empire to the Present Day” at the Yunus Emre Institute (YEE) Representative Office, London. Dr. Sonsuz, who is also a Board Member of the Health Systems and Policies Implementation and Research Center (SASPAM), discussed in detail the historical development of health services in Turkish culture and the role of the state in this field. Emphasizing that health services have always had an important place in the Turkish state structure, Dr. Sonsuz added that a paternalistic approach is dominant in health services as the state is seen as a “father” figure. She also stated that the health services in Türkiye have had a different development process than in Europe. Dr. Sonsuz reminded that state-supported health services were accepted in Europe in the early 20th century and emphasized that Türkiye has played a leading role in providing these services through the state throughout history.