An awareness event was organized at Istanbul Medipol University to draw attention to the importance of organ donation.

An awareness event was organized for the Organ Donation Week under the leadership of Istanbul Medipol University Vocational School of Health Services. Held in the South Campus Conference Hall, the event was supported by the Ministry of Health, Istanbul Provincial Health Directorate, National Medical Rescue Team, Kartal Koşuyolu Heart Hospital, Daviva Dialysis Services, and Medipol Mega University Hospital. The event discussed Türkiye’s organ donation situation, society’s perspective on organ transplantation, and steps that can be taken to raise awareness in this area. The opening speech of the program, which attracted great interest from students, was given by Lecturer Zekeriya Çelik from the Vocational School of Health Services. Çelik emphasized that it is essential to raise awareness in society about organ donation and that more work needs to be done.
PROF. BAHÇEBAŞI: WE ARE NOT HELPLESS IN KIDNEY FAILURE
Speaking about chronic kidney failure, Prof. Zerrin Biricik Bahçebaşı said: “In medicine, there is no disease, only the patient. A common misconception in society is that there is no cure for kidney failure; however, this is not true. Kidney failure can be controlled with early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, and patients can even achieve a healthy life with a kidney transplant. Raising our awareness as a society is of great importance. We can contribute to preventing or controlling kidney failure by promoting healthy lifestyle habits, encouraging regular health checks, and encouraging kidney transplant donation.”
DR. BİNGÖL: ORGAN DONATION RATE DECREASED WITH THE PANDEMIC
Dr. Nezahat Bingöl from the Adana Organ Transplantation Regional Coordination Center stated that there was a serious decline in organ donation rates after the pandemic and the February 6 earthquakes. Dr. Bingöl said: “Donation rates, which were 28% before the pandemic, decreased to 16% with the earthquake. There is no guarantee that we will not experience this disaster again in our country, which is an earthquake zone. Everyone needs to do their part and should be aware of organ donation after a disaster.”
GÖKTÜRK: A LIFE-SAVING PROCESS
Azize Göktürk, the Coordinator of the Lung Organ Transplant Unit at Kartal Koşuyolu Training and Research Hospital, also emphasized that organ donation is a life-saving process and as donations increase, it gives hope to patients waiting for a transplant. Underlining that sufficient donors cannot be provided for cadaver organ donation, Göktürk said: “Let your lungs save lives. Please do not let what we have discussed here remain here, and let us raise awareness of everyone around us about lung donation.”
DR. ANIK: YOU CAN GIVE HOPE WITH ORGAN DONATION
Medipol MEGA University Hospital Organ Transplantation Coordinator Dr. Esin Gülkaya Anık, who delivered the closing speech of the program, said that every organ donation turns into a new life. Drawing attention to the common misconceptions about organ donation, Dr. Anık said: “We are trying to be the voice of patients. Organ transplantation is a discipline that works 24/7, but unfortunately our society is not conscious about this issue. Society does not trust the health system and health workers due to the misinformation on the internet. In this sense, it should be our duty as individuals to tell the truth to people. Remember that you may only be a person to the whole world, but with your organ donation, you can be a hope for life and a world for some.”
THERE WAS HIGH PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM
The program, coordinated by the Vocational School of Health Services Lecturer Selda Selimoğlu, was also attended by Prof. Hakan Hakeri, Mehmet Okan Karaca from the National Medical Rescue Team, Prof. Çağatay Aydın from Medipol MEGA University Hospital, Prof. Murat Dayangaç, and many students. The event, which ended with the presentation of gifts to the participants, once again emphasized the importance of raising awareness about the importance of organ donation and the steps to be taken in this regard.
Son Güncelleme Tarihi: 03/12/2024 - 13:40