Dear Colleagues,

Following the devastating earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria on Monday, February 6, 2023, more than 34000 people have lost their lives and tens of thousands have been injured. Relief efforts are ongoing one week after the quake struck and aid campaigns are being organized from all over Turkey and the world.

As Baskent University, we are in deep sorrow due to the earthquake disaster in our homeland Turkey and we try to help the victims of this tragedy hoping to relieve their grief to some extent. Our clinics were not damaged but a number of hospitals were damaged in the earthquake. Therefore, around 400 patients have been brought to three hospitals and dialysis centers of Baskent University Hospitals located in Adana. Our teams are working very hard to deliver medical/primary care since the beginning of this tragedy.

In addition to the medical aid by our doctors and emergency medicine specialists, 12,5 tons of dairy products as well as a convoy of 11 aid trucks loaded with clothing, hygiene materials and heavy-lifting construction equipment needed for the rescue efforts were immediately sent to the earthquake zone. We are going through very difficult times and it is very pleasing to receive a helping hand from our colleagues in the medical community, governments and international organizations across the globe.

We hope to ease the unspeakable pains and heal the wounds with the strength of solidarity and we are grateful to all who has shown solidarity with Turkey and Syria.

Yours Sincerely,

Mehmet Haberal, MD, FACS (Hon), FICS (Hon),
FASA (Hon), FIMSA (Hon), Hon FRCS (Glasg)
Founder and Founder President, Baskent University
President of the Executive Supreme Board, Baskent University
Chair, Baskent University, Division of Transplantation and Burns
Past-President, The Transplantation Society
Past-President, International Society for Burn Injuries