Minister of Health Kemal Memişoğlu stated that, as a result of negotiations with the World Health Organization ( WHO ), they have officially initiated the process for the opening of a WHO Collaborating Center for Traditional and Complementary Medicine ( GETAT ) in Turkey, adding, "This step will further strengthen our country's international role in the field of traditional and complementary medicine and make Turkey a regional center in this field."

In his opening speech at the 3rd Traditional and Complementary Medicine Congress, held at the Istanbul Lütfi Kırdar Congress Center under the auspices of the Presidency, with the organization of the Ministry of Health and USHAŞ, and in cooperation with the WHO, Memişoğlu said that health is not only the treatment of diseases but also the protection, development, and preservation of the individual, society, and the environment as a whole.

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Memişoğlu stated that this approach reflects the essence of the "Healthy Turkey Century" vision, the healthcare counterpart of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's "Turkey Century" vision, adding, "We approach traditional and complementary medicine with a people-centered and holistic approach, establishing complete integrity with our health model that protects, develops, and produces."

Memişoğlu emphasized that Anatolia has hosted diverse civilizations for thousands of years and is a center of the art of healing, science, and compassion. He stated, "The Darüşşifa, founded in Kayseri under the leadership of Gevher Nesibe Sultan, is not just a hospital; it is one of the strongest examples of a people-centered approach, where both medical education and patient care come together under the same roof. This deep-rooted legacy reminds us that health is not merely about curing illnesses; it is a holistic legacy that must be protected, developed, and carried into the future."

"We aim to implement standards that can be used as a reference around the world."

Memişoğlu underlined that they provided a strong legal framework with the Regulation on Traditional and Complementary Medical Practices, and explained that they established the Türkiye GETAT Institute within TÜSEB to develop scientifically based practices integrated with modern medicine.

Memişoğlu stated, "Today, with 84 GETAT Application Centers, 2,160 application units, and over 26,000 certified healthcare professionals, we offer 15 different methods, including acupuncture, phytotherapy, mesotherapy, cupping therapy, hypnosis, apitherapy, reflexology, osteopathy, and music therapy, to our citizens within the framework of ethical and scientific standards. Furthermore, by enabling our family physicians to directly perform acupuncture and phytotherapy procedures if they are certified, we have paved the way for these services to be provided safely and accessible from the closest point to our citizens."

Memişoğlu stated that as of today, 38 family medicine units have obtained their certifications and are now competent, and continued as follows:

"Thus, we are both expanding these registered and traceable practices and providing rapid and effective solutions to the needs of our citizens. Our goal is to support the effectiveness and reliability of traditional and complementary medical practices with evidence-based scientific research, prepare national clinical guidelines, conduct field research, and build robust databases. In this way, we aim to implement standards that can be used as a reference not only in our country, but also in our region and globally. To this end, we are establishing internationally accredited testing and analysis laboratories to establish scientifically sound quality, safety, and interaction profiles of medical products."

Memişoğlu emphasized that they have strengthened the training and certification processes for physicians and healthcare professionals, saying:

We have taken the necessary steps to integrate traditional and complementary medicine into the curriculum of our medical schools. Furthermore, we are integrating GETAT practices with policies that protect and improve public health, and aim to make Anatolian medicine visible at the international level through health tourism and cultural heritage routes. To advance these efforts not only nationally but also globally, we are increasing our collaborations with institutes from various countries, particularly the WHO. As a result of our discussions with the WHO, we have initiated the official process for the opening of a WHO Collaborating Center in Türkiye for GETAT. This step will further strengthen our country's international role in traditional and complementary medicine and establish Türkiye as a regional center in this field.

Memişoğlu stated that the congress is not only a platform for sharing scientific information, but also a meeting point where international collaborations, joint research, and mutual experiences will flourish.

Memişoğlu stated that the presence of esteemed ministers and scientists with a voice in the field of health from around the world transformed the congress into a meaningful platform not only for Turkey but also for the common future of humanity, emphasizing that the vision shared at the congress is much more than a health policy.

Memişoğlu stated, "This vision is a powerful contribution to humanity's shared future, made by our goal of a Healthy Turkey Century and our healthcare model that protects, develops, and produces. Because the true power of traditional and complementary medicine lies in its ability to offer the knowledge and experience developed by our nation over centuries, in the light of modern science, to the service of humanity."

"Healing is not only carried by medicine, but also by bridges built from heart to heart"

While discussing ways to heal humanity at the congress, Memişoğlu stated that they could not ignore the great humanitarian tragedy in Gaza.

Memişoğlu emphasized that this situation, in which the most fundamental right, the right to life, is violated, hospitals and healthcare workers are targeted, and access to medicine and treatment is blocked, deeply wounds the collective conscience of not only the region but also humanity, and noted the following:

"Look, this little paper boat I hold in my hand may seem fragile, perhaps weak, but it actually carries within it a child's right to life, a mother's prayer, and the conscience of humanity. This boat speaks not just to Gaza, but to all of our hearts. Let children not die, let their right to health not be denied, let them live with human dignity. We believe that healing is carried not only by medicine, but also by bridges built from heart to heart. This little boat is a symbol of compassion, solidarity, and human dignity that extends to Gaza. I pray that this boat will carry light to the dark waters of Gaza, hope for wounded hearts, and a tomorrow for children."

WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also sent a video message to the program.

During the program, certificates of appreciation were presented to hospital administrators and traditional and complementary medicine unit physicians of their hospitals who contributed to the provision of health services with a holistic medical approach in the Healthy Türkiye Century.

After the family photo was taken, Minister Memişoğlu and his entourage toured the congress stand and exhibition area.

The program was attended by health ministry officials from Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Mongolia, Syria and Georgia, Japanese Ambassador to Ankara Katsumata Takahiko, deputy ministers of health, members of parliament, Istanbul Provincial Health Director Abdullah Emre Güner and many others.

The congress, which will host approximately 1,700 participants from 31 countries, will last 3 days.

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