Event highlights

Health security in Türkiye involves protecting people and communities from sudden dangers like outbreaks of disease, toxic materials and catastrophic events, and reinforcing core public health capacities to detect, prevent and respond to health threats from outbreaks to climate-sensitive vector-borne diseases.

In December 2023, WHO, in collaboration with the Turkish Ministry of Health, with funding from the European Union, extended the Health Security in Türkiye Project (HSP) for a further 36 months. The aim of the project is to work closely with regional health professionals to improve Türkiye’s capacity to spot, avert and address health threats head-on, with priority given to the provinces still healing from the 6 February earthquakes and those at risk from changing environmental conditions.

“As the countdown to the Second European Programme of Work continues, the issue of health security provides us with a clear reminder: we can only achieve health for all if we are prepared for all,” states Dr Priyakanta Nayak, HSP Coordinator.

Health protection measures

In January, a group of 57 experts gathered in Ankara to develop Türkiye’s first comprehensive plan for tracking and managing diseases spread by vectors like mosquitoes, ticks and sandflies that pose serious risks in outdoor areas. The plan’s main purpose is to shield residents, especially young children and older adults, in areas prone to infection.

“With Türkiye’s first nationwide vector surveillance plan, we are taking a decisive step to protect our most vulnerable from deadly diseases spread by mosquitoes, ticks and sandflies,” said Dr Muhammed Emin Demirkol, Director General of Public Health at the Ministry of Health.

The 5th National Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) conference, held in February, gathered over 350 health professionals, including more than 80 epidemiologists, who successfully completed the Training Program and are now actively supporting their local areas while bolstering Türkiye’s broader health protection measures.

“Türkiye has achieved in just 10–15 years what many countries could not in 30–40, yet our journey to build a stronger, more resilient health system continues,” said Deputy Health Minister Şuayip Birinci.

Dr Tasnim Atatrah, WHO Representative in Türkiye, added, “Health security is a shared responsibility – no one is safe until everyone is safe. With the leadership of the Ministry of Health and the support of the European Union, the FETP is strengthening public health capacity in Türkiye and beyond. We are jointly building a legacy of resilience for a healthier future.”

Dr Nayak emphasized, “Field epidemiologists are the front-line defenders of public health, turning data into life-saving action. With support from the European Union and the Ministry of Health, the FETP is building a new generation of experts ready to respond with skill and speed. Together we are strengthening Türkiye’s health security.”

The project’s efforts also centred on refining how risks are communicated and managed. In April, public officials participated in sessions focusing on handling crisis messaging and encouraging community involvement to ensure that accurate information gets out quickly during emergencies. The goal was to help to reduce panic and prevent confusion when time is of the essence.

“By strengthening crisis communication and engaging communities, we ensure that during emergencies accurate information reaches people fast, reducing panic and saving lives,” explains Dr Nayak.

From April to June, teams in the field were active in Adana province, affected by earthquakes, where they carried out direct surveillance to gather and study samples from mosquitoes, ticks and sandflies. Identifying these vectors sooner allows for immediate actions to stop outbreaks before they escalate.

“Early detection of disease-carrying vectors in the field means that we can act fast, stop outbreaks at their source and better protect communities still recovering from the earthquakes,” adds Dr Umut Berberoğlu, Medical Microbiology Specialist at the Public Health Directorate.

Preparedness training

In June, experts from WHO in Geneva and from allied nations led a dedicated training on preparedness for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) scenarios. The programme built up the expertise of domestic teams, enabling them to act quickly and competently in demanding crises where every second counts.

“This training is equipping health and emergency teams with the skills and coordination needed to detect, assess and respond swiftly to CBRN threats, making Türkiye’s health system stronger and better prepared than ever,” said Dr Nayak.

“Strengthening CBRN preparedness is an investment in Türkiye’s health security, ensuring that the country is ready to respond rapidly and effectively to protect lives in any emergency,” highlights Dr Atatrah.

“By strengthening national expertise in CBRN preparedness, we are ensuring that Türkiye’s teams can respond decisively and effectively in the most complex and high-stakes emergencies,” adds Dr Johnny Nehme, Biological Preparedness and Protection Officer at WHO Geneva.

In May, a seminar brought attention to the One Health framework, which highlights the ties between health in humans, animals and the environment. Such an integrated view is crucial for successfully preventing and managing diseases.

Supporting faster interventions

New approaches to digital surveillance, drawing on insights from Google Trends and weather patterns, have been adopted to pick up initial warnings of influenza or gastrointestinal issues. These methods enhance standard tracking and support faster interventions. This year, 17 up-and-coming epidemiologists completed intensive Google Trends training that prepared them to investigate outbreaks, analyse data and become key members of the public health community working to strengthen Türkiye’s health system.

“By integrating tools like Google Trends with weather data, we are giving our epidemiologists a head start in spotting outbreaks, empowering a new generation of experts to act faster and protect Türkiye’s health,” insists Dr Jay Tripathy, Assistant Professor at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences and facilitator of the training.

In a key development, Advanced FETP Training for the New Cohort welcomed 17 new fellows for the 2024–2025 period, who underwent structured instruction in outbreak investigation, epidemiology, surveillance and biostatistics.

Examinations of disease outbreaks involving tularemia, botulism and food poisoning have not only enabled the project to save lives, but also offered important lessons contributing to both national response capacity and international conferences like Training Programs in Epidemiology and Public Health Interventions Network and the European Scientific Conference on Applied Infectious Disease Epidemiology.

“Training our new FETP fellows in real outbreak investigations builds the skills and experience needed to save lives today, while strengthening Türkiye’s capacity to respond to future health threats,” says Dr Fehminaz Temel, FETP Unit Director at the Ministry of Health.

In August, Türkiye also marked a key success with the certification of the Alliance of International Doctors (AID) as the first Turkish nongovernmental organization approved by WHO for Emergency Medical Team Type 1 status, additionally validated by the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism. This approval boosts the nation’s ability to deliver swift aid in health emergencies.

“With AID’s certification as Türkiye’s first WHO-approved Emergency Medical Team, the nation has strengthened its ability to deliver rapid, high-quality medical aid when and where it is needed most,” states Dr Atatrah.

In essence, these activities demonstrate Türkiye’s increasing leadership and dedication to health emergency preparedness. Looking ahead to the Second European Programme of Work, the HSP serves as a model of collaboration, innovation and resilience.