On 13-14 March 2015, in Çanakkale, 14 March Doctor’s Day was celebrated with the participation of President, many health workers and students from Turkey and other countries.
Within the program, on 13 March 2015, high-ranking bureaucrats from Ministry of Health; Rear Admiral Hayati Bilgiç, Dean of Gulhane Military Medical Faculty; 35 students with him; 17 Deans of Medical Faculties; Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Bağcı, Rector of Pamukkale University; medical doctors coming from 81 provinces; 50 foreign participants from 29 foreign countries, 165 foreign students from 29 countries studying health in 12 provinces participated in the program, toured Gallipoli, and visited Martyrs Memorial and Wrapping Place within the guidance of both English and Turkish guides.
On the same day, Gala Dinner, which Mehmet Müezzinoğlu, Minister of Health gave in the honor of participants, started with National Anthem and one minute’s silence.
After a short film about Çanakkale War, Prof. Dr. Cengiz Kuday made a speech. In his speech he talked about history of Çanakkale War and heroisms of medical troops.
After the speech of Kuday, Mehmet Müezzinoğlu, Minister of Health, made a speech and he told “ We wanted to gather the members of civilization that fight in the thought that Çanakkale can not be passed, with the occasion of 14 March Doctor’s Day. In heart, the strongest foot of medicine is that it is universal and to serve people and mankind. In this sense, we are medical students of a nation that gave many medical martyrs in this war year that no medical students could graduate. And 14 March Doctor’s Day wasn’t fictionalized as a feast. In fact, celebrating 14 March Doctor’s Day was a reflection of objection to occupation of Istanbul by enemies and a manifestation of rebellion. It was called Doctor’s Day which was substantially organized for freedom and independence in 1919 by medical doctors that objected to occupation of Istanbul by enemies. It was the day on which Turkish Flag was raised in Haydarpaşa, where there was the first marvelous medical school.”
At the end of the program, the Minister had photos taken with “doctors of the year” from 81 provinces, students from GATA, foreign participants and international students from other provinces for the memory of the day.
Esteemed President Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Mrs. Emine Erdoğan, Dr. Sare Davutoğlu, wife of the Prime Minister, Mrs. Ayşenur İslam, Minister of Family and Social Policies, Mr. Binali Yıldırım, Former Minister of Transport as well as various parliamentarians, health managers, foreign medical students from every corner of our country, Rear Admiral Mr. Hayati Bilgiç from GATA and doctors and students from 29 countries engaged in Çanakkale War participated in the celebrations of 14 March Doctor’s Day.
During the “Corpsmen 1915: Soldiers of the Victory” meeting held in Çanakkale Kolin Hotel, a short film screening dedicated to health army members martyred in Çanakkale was presented. Following the short film, the poem “Çanakkale Martyrs” written by Mehmet Akif Ersoy was presented from the voice of the President Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
The president stated that he found it quite meaningful to hold 14 March Doctor’s Day in Çanakkale and highlighted that we owe a debt of gratitude to health personnel who devotedly served, died or got hurt during the war.
Mr. Müezzinoğlu defined Çanakkale Victory as an epic of heroism, sacrifice and patience experienced a hundred years ago and stated that the Çanakkale spirit lies behind the announcement of this date as Doctor’s Day.
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