Important Step from the Turkish Ophthalmological Association

Important Step from Turkish Ophthalmological Society The Turkish Ophthalmological Society is providing support to ensure the continued education of residents and specialist doctors working in the Department of Ophthalmology at Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa School of Medicine Hospital and Çukurova University School of Medicine Balcalı Hospital, which were evacuated as part of earthquake precautions, as well as all ophthalmologists affected by the earthquake. Prof. Dr. Ziya Kapran, President of the Turkish Ophthalmological Society, the only association representing eye doctors in Turkey, emphasized that ophthalmologists at the evacuated hospitals must continue their professional development, stating: "Following the sudden evacuation decisions, it is very important that our young ophthalmologist colleagues continue their education. Both ensuring that Turkish ophthalmologists are trained adequately and preventing any shortage in providing the eye care our people need are vital for us." Turkish Ophthalmological Society (TOD) President Prof. Dr. Ziya Kapran stated that they have continued support efforts in the disaster-affected area from the first day following the earthquake that impacted 11 provinces. In this context, he added that container support was provided to Adıyaman University School of Medicine and equipment support to Gaziantep University School of Medicine Hospital, noting: "Now our Turkish Ophthalmological Society Training Center (TODEM) department is providing support to ensure that residents and specialist doctors working at Cerrahpaşa and Balcalı Hospitals evacuated in Istanbul and Adana, as well as all ophthalmologists affected by the earthquake, continue their education."

Cerrahpaşa is the country's first ophthalmology specialty department

Prof. Dr. Ziya Kapran noted that the evacuated Department of Ophthalmology at Cerrahpaşa School of Medicine was Turkey's first hospital providing ophthalmology specialty training, drawing attention to the fact that it is an important center where patients from a major city like Istanbul and from all over Turkey and neighboring countries, particularly from the Marmara region, have received care. Noting that at Adana Balcalı Hospital, in addition to eye education provided by high-level faculty members, numerous eye patients living in the South and Southeastern Anatolia regions receive treatment, Prof. Dr. Kapran said: "Through TODEMs, we are launching educational activities aimed at ensuring that residents and specialist ophthalmologists working at these two hospitals, as well as all our colleagues affected by the earthquake, continue their education and career development without interruption. Currently, since 2016, we have been accelerating the trainings we call Skill Transfer Courses (BAK) at training centers in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and Bursa, prioritizing ophthalmologists affected by the earthquake."

Standing by ophthalmologists for 95 years

Prof. Dr. Ziya Kapran emphasized that as the Turkish Ophthalmological Society, which has been operating for 95 years in our country and is the only association representing Turkish ophthalmologists, they have stood by earthquake victims and doctors from the first day, continuing as follows: "We lost 4 ophthalmologist members in the earthquake. We share deep sorrow for all our citizens who lost their lives in the disaster. We are aware that our path is long and we have much more work to do. As TOD, we will continue to stand by our people in the disaster area and deliver our support. We will continue to stand by our people in the region and our doctors to provide support especially to healthcare workers and ophthalmologists." Prof. Dr. Ziya Kapran concluded by noting that ophthalmologists affected by the earthquake should follow the TOD website at www.todnet.org for TODEM trainings to be held.