Kastamonu University Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, and Kastamonu Provincial Directorate of Health, in cooperation with Kastamonu University Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, and Kastamonu Provincial Directorate of Health, held a meaningful event on 8 November 2024 at Kastamonu University Central Library Sezai Karakoç Hall within the scope of Organ Donation Week.
Deputy Governor Hakan Kubalı, Kastamonu University Faculty of Health Sciences Dean Prof. Dr. Abdulkadir Tuna, Kastamonu Provincial Health Directorate Head of Health Services Dr. Özgür Yılmaz, academic staff, and students attended the program.
In the opening speech of the symposium, Dr. Özgür Yılmaz, Head of Health Services of Kastamonu Provincial Health Directorate, emphasized that organ donation is an issue that requires social awareness and responsibility. Dr. Yılmaz stated that they organized this symposium to explain the difficulties experienced by patients waiting for organ transplantation and to enable students to understand this field's social and religious dimensions.
Deputy Governor Hakan Kubalı, referring to Atatürk's revolutions in the field of health, stated that the founder of the Republic was the pioneer of the expansion of health services in Turkey. Kubalı explained the legal arrangements' importance in providing equal and accessible health services. He also said that health services in Kastamonu were continuously improved, and new health units were established.
Kubalı also made statements about organ transplantation and stated that the organ donation rate in Turkey is well below the European averages. Stating that there is a high demand for organ transplantation, Kubalı emphasized that the public should be more aware of organ donation.
Following the opening speeches of the event, Kastamonu University Faculty of Medicine Anesthesiology and Reanimation Specialist and Provincial Coordinator of Organ and Tissue Transplantation Prof. Dr. Zahide Doğanay, who made presentations, said that the number of patients waiting for organ transplantation in Turkey is increasing day by day. Organ donation should be given more importance to solve this problem. Prof. Dr. Doğanay pointed out that as of 2023, there are thousands of patients waiting for kidney, liver, heart, lung, and pancreas transplantation.
At the event, Nurse Elif Yılmaz from Kastamonu Training and Research Hospital emphasized organ donation's critical importance in health services. Nurse Yılmaz emphasized how important it is to raise awareness of health personnel and society about organ donation and that it is a significant factor in improving patients' quality of life and helping them live a healthy life.
At the event, İbrahim Kurt, Chief Preacher of Kastamonu Provincial Mufti's Office, emphasized the importance of organ donation in terms of Islam. Kurt noted that organ donation is an excellent reward for saving human life and helping others and does not constitute an obstacle in religion.
Kastamonu Training and Research Hospital Nephrology Specialist Dr Reyhan Calayoğlu talked about the importance of organ donation in health. Dr Calayoğlu stated that organ donation is a matter of life, especially for patients waiting for kidney transplantation, and that donations in this regard play a critical role in saving the lives of patients.
Following the presentations, Selma Doğan, who is waiting for a kidney transplant, and Özlem and Fahri Yaman, who received a kidney transplant, shared their experiences. They gave essential messages that life-saving organ transplantation processes offer a second chance at life. Finally, participants were informed about organ donation at the organ and tissue donation stand set up by the Kastamonu Provincial Directorate of Health in the event area. An environment has been created where those interested can donate.
