Vehicle Family Provides Life-Saving Support for Children

Koruma Şirketler Grubu, known for pioneering investments in the chemical sector, and the Aracı Family, whose charitable works have created lasting contributions spanning from education to healthcare, have now provided Kocaeli University Hospital with a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and an ambulance.

 Health support initiatives that began earlier with the Semahat Aracı Oncology and Palliative Care Center continued with an operating theatre, advanced psychiatric treatment unit, 3D TEE laboratory and various equipment, strengthening the hospital's infrastructure.

The new center, counted among Turkey's most advanced pediatric intensive care units, was commissioned on World Health Day with the participation of Ersin Tatar, 5th President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. At the opening, Ersin Tatar and Kocaeli Governor İlhami Aktaş praised the project. The new unit will address a critical need for pediatric patients and advance the hospital's healthcare service capacity.

The opening ceremony for the fully equipped ambulance and pediatric intensive care unit provided to Kocaeli University Hospital through the contributions of the Aracı Family was held at KÖÜ Hospital. The ceremony at Kocaeli University Hospital was attended by TRNC 5th President Ersin Tatar, Kocaeli Governor İlhami Aktaş, Kocaeli Metropolitan Mayor Tahir Büyükakin, Kocaeli University Rector Prof. Dr. Nuh Zafer Cantürk, Chief Physician Prof. Dr. M. Görkem Aksu, and Aracı Family members including Koruma Şirketler Grubu Board Chairman Vefa İbrahim Aracı, Vice Chairman Şükrü Kemal Aracı, Zümran Aracı, Ayşe Aracı and other family members, as well as provincial officials, hospital administrators, staff and academics. The ceremony also included health managers, academics and numerous guests.

Health-Directed Investments in Kocaeli
"Gratitude to the Past, Hope for the Future" - guided by this principle, the Aracı Family has provided Kocaeli with numerous important contributions in education, health and social responsibility. Previously, they had commissioned the Semahat Aracı Oncology and Palliative Care Center at Kocaeli University's Umuttepe Campus in the name of their late mother Semahat Aracı. The Semahat Aracı Oncology and Palliative Care Center provides services not only to cancer patients but also to Alzheimer's, dementia and Parkinson's patients. The center, which houses oncology, physical therapy and palliative care services, has 84 rooms and a capacity of 135 beds. 

Continuing their support to advance Kocaeli University Hospital's diagnostic and treatment capabilities, the Aracı Family's contributions include: the Zümran Aracı Operating Theatre, Zümran Aracı Advanced Psychiatric Treatment Unit, Vefa İbrahim Aracı 3D TEE Laboratory providing advanced testing capabilities in cardiology, 10 private patient rooms, hearing booth and audiometry equipment, all presented to the public service of Kocaeli residents in previous opening ceremonies. These investments strengthen the quality of healthcare services while also creating a more equipped practical training environment for students within the university.

Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Will Address a Critical Need
The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit provided to Kocaeli University Hospital will complete a critical gap that the city has long needed. All stages from the unit's construction to its full equipment and installation of advanced medical technology devices were realized through the Aracı Family's contributions.

Commissioned in accordance with advanced intensive care standards, this unit will provide safe and comprehensive treatment for pediatric patients. Through this investment, families will be able to continue their treatment process in their own city without having to travel to different cities.

Together with the donated ambulance, the goal is to gain speed in emergency response procedures and enable patients to access healthcare services in shorter timeframes.

Vefa İbrahim Aracı: "Touching a child's life is touching the future"
"Today we are not only opening a healthcare investment here, we are also fulfilling our responsibility to this city," said Koruma Şirketler Grubu Board Chairman Vefa İbrahim Aracı in his remarks at the opening ceremony. "The fact that we are holding our opening on 7 April, World Health Day, makes this investment even more meaningful. I thank His Excellency Ersin Tatar, 5th President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, for honoring us with his presence on this special day, and our esteemed provincial officials. As Koruma Şirketler Grubu and the Aracı Family, we feel responsible to this city where we were born, raised and continue our lives. Together with our Governor and Metropolitan Mayor, we consult on Kocaeli's needs and seek collective answers to the question, 'What more can we do for this city?' Because we believe it is not right to have expectations from a place where we live without contributing to it. With this understanding, we continue our investments in healthcare. Thanks to our collaboration with Kocaeli University, we attach importance to creating lasting works in the health sector and making these contributions sustainable. The pediatric intensive care unit we are opening today has a special meaning for us. Because healthy generations are the foundation of a strong society. The way to look to the future with confidence is through healthy child development. With this awareness, we view every effort that touches their lives as an investment in tomorrow. Because touching a child's life is touching the future. I would like to make one more promise from here; following our current projects, on behalf of our family we will work to provide Kocaeli with a new school. Because we believe this city deserves larger, stronger and more impactful projects. I wish this valuable investment brings good to our province and our country."

"A New Chance for Every Child"
Speaking at the opening, Pediatric Health and Diseases Department Head Prof. Dr. Abdulkadir Babaoğlu drew attention to the vital importance of the unit and emphasized that the contribution made was not merely a donation. Babaoğlu said, "You have not simply made a donation, you have touched lives. A new chance has been born for every child who will receive treatment in this unit. This support is a very valuable contribution that directly touches human lives."

Chief Physician Prof. Dr. M. Görkem Aksu noted in his remarks that the pediatric intensive care unit brought to life through the Aracı Family's contributions ranks among Turkey's select centers with its advanced technology infrastructure and equipment. Aksu emphasized that the unit is not merely a physical contribution but also a strategic step that elevates the quality of healthcare services, stating, "Through this center, we will provide our pediatric patients with faster, safer and more effective treatment options. This contribution will significantly advance the quality of healthcare services in Kocaeli."

"This Contribution Was Made for the Future"
At the ceremony, TRNC 5th President Ersin Tatar highlighted the private sector's social responsibility and expressed that such contributions shape not only today but also the future. Tatar stated, "Today we are not simply opening a healthcare service; we are also witnessing one of the finest examples of gratitude, solidarity and social responsibility. Every contribution made to children is a contribution to the country's future."

Kocaeli Governor İlhami Aktaş noted in his remarks that the unit being commissioned addresses an important need not only for Kocaeli but also for the region, emphasizing the importance of spreading a culture of philanthropy in society. Aktaş stated that such contributions are very valuable steps that facilitate access to healthcare services and directly touch lives.

Public-Private Sector Cooperation Emphasis
In his remarks, Kocaeli Metropolitan Mayor Tahir Büyükakin noted that development is based on public and private sectors working together, stating, "Today we are witnessing one of the finest examples of this. Such collaborations play a decisive role in the development of cities and countries. I thank the Aracı Family for the valuable assets they have brought to our city. We are grateful to you. Thank goodness you exist, thank goodness you add value to this city."

Kocaeli University Rector Prof. Dr. Nuh Zafer Cantürk stated that the Aracı Family's contributions are not merely support but also a model that sets an example for society. Cantürk noted that every contribution to health and education transforms into a growing movement of goodwill spreading throughout society, emphasizing the need to expand a culture of philanthropy.

Plaques Presented, Unit Toured
As part of the program, appreciation plaques were presented to Aracı Family members Zümran Aracı, Ayşe Aracı, Şükrü Kemal Aracı and Vefa İbrahim Aracı.

The ceremony concluded with the cutting of the opening ribbon followed by protocol members touring the pediatric intensive care unit. The delegation received information from healthcare personnel about the unit's technical capacity and planned operations.

Prior to the program, the Semahat Aracı Oncology and Palliative Care Center, provided by the Aracı Family, was visited and information was given about the work conducted at the center and the healthcare services provided.