March 14 National Medicine Day celebrated at CIU

Faculty of Medicine of Cyprus International University (CIU) organized events on the occasion of the March 14 National Medicine Day. 

At the event held in the conference hall of Çevik Uraz Center,  topics that were given information about were the importance of the medical profession, the establishment and purpose of the Alzheimer's Association as well as the current developments in treating Alzheimer's disease by CIU Rector Prof. Dr. Halil Nadiri, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Prof. Dr. Kaan Erler, Alzheimer Association President İzlem Sönmez, CIU Faculty of Medicine Lecturer Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sevda Diker and Assist. Prof. Dr. Umut Altunç. 

Speaking at the event, Prof. Dr. Nadiri pointed out that Faculty of Medicine students are the ones who will shape the future of healthcare and said, "I appreciate our promising doctors for their unwavering passion and determination to serve others."

Dean Prof. Dr. Kaan Erler stated that March 14, 1827 is considered the beginning of modern medical education in Turkey and added,  "Medical Day was first celebrated in March 1919 by students under the leadership of Hikmet Boran who was at the time a student in the Faculty of medicine  as a reaction and protest against the occupation of Istanbul.”

In her speech, İzlem Sönmez stated that the Alzheimer's Association was established in 2019 and that their aim is to raise public awareness about Dementia and Alzheimer's disease and caregiving  as well as to open Day Care Centers in North Cyprus where Dementia and Alzheimer's patients can spend quality time and socialize.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Diker pointed out that the symptoms of Alzheimer's type dementia are not the beginning but a result of disorders that have developed in the brain over a period of nearly 25 years; and added, "For this reason, the drugs we have used until recently have been ineffective in stopping the progression of dementia."  Noting that studies on early diagnosis of the disease have gained importance in recent years, Diker stated that for this reason, blood and cerebrospinal fluid examinations and different radiological brain imaging methods have been developed.

In his speech at the event, Assist. Prof. Dr. Altunç drew attention to the importance of a physician's love, passion and determination for his profession and pointed out that the medical profession is actually a life dedicated to humanity.

A Football Tournament was held after the speeches, which was followed by the presentation of trophies and medals, and ended with a musical performance.