Statement – Marking 60 years of collaboration between WHO and Turkey
Statement by Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge at a joint press conference with the Ministry of Health of Turkey, Ankara.
9 July 2020
Dear Minister Koca,
Esteemed members of the Coronavirus Scientific Advisory Board,
Good evening. Let me say thank you very much [in Turkish] to all of you who have welcomed me so kindly in your country. I want to thank you so much, Minister Koca, for your very warm welcome and the sense of partnership that you bring to our work.
It gives me another good chance to publicly thank all health care workers on the frontline of the fight against the pandemic in Turkey and across Europe for all their hard work and dedication, for all the sacrifices they have made, the risks they have taken to save lives day after day, despite difficult conditions.
Turkey is my first official trip since COVID-19 travel restriction measures started to be eased. Day by day, family by family, community by community, country by country we start a new post-COVID beginning.
I have three messages to share with you:
First, I want to commend the people of Turkey and your authorities for your response to the pandemic and expression of solidarity within and beyond your borders in addressing health and humanitarian emergencies.
It is said ‘a crisis reveals the best and the worst in us”. Turkey's people have showed the world their best and true character while facing the worst of the pandemic. You embraced in letter and spirit the mantra of “leaving no one behind” and the lesson of “global solidarity”.
You showed humanitarian spirit by providing COVID-19 testing, treatment and care for all including refugees and migrants. Moreover, the country exemplified global unison by sharing protective equipment and other material support for COVID-19 to 138 countries and 5 international organizations.
Tonight, I will sign together with Minister Koca a financial agreement, paving the way for the opening of a WHO office specializing in preparedness for humanitarian and health emergencies which will cover all of the European region. It is further evidence of your country’s deep commitment to protecting health, even in the most difficult circumstances.
My second message is: the pandemic is not over. We will all remain vigilant and work together to ensure that the virus does not flare up again, and that vulnerable groups remain protected.
Since April, reported data shows Turkey is turning the corner in COVID-19 battle and reducing case load and deaths by over 75%. A multitude of factors played the part in this successful turnaround: health systems transformation, emergency preparedness and readiness, developing local diagnostic tests, strengthening testing, contact tracing, and treatment, local manufacturing of protective equipment and ventilators, air travel realignments, community engagement and risk communication.
Now we must keep working together to make sure that this turnaround lasts.
The virus has not gone away. While WHO is working with Member States, including Turkey, to coordinate and fast track development of improved diagnostics, treatments and vaccines, we have to focus on what we all know works, this is physical distancing, hand hygiene, covering coughs, staying home when sick, wearing masks when appropriate, and getting information from reliable sources.
After relaxation of some measures in mid-June, Turkey did show initial spikes in cases and even in hospitalizations, similar to other countries. Now we are inching back again to low levels, but vigilance, monitoring and strict compliance with mitigation measures, coupled with continued strong capacities for testing, contact tracing, and treatment are the only way forward.
Authorities, partners, community, academia – whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches that have helped us in Turkey to successfully fend off the initial peaks, must continue rather strengthened as the pandemic continues to threaten the globe. We must embrace the profound meaning of “NO one is safe until everyone is safe”.
We must also be ready to address high risks especially for the elderly in the autumn when the influenza season arrives. To sustain Turkey’s success thus far with low mortality from COVID-19 among the elderly, we will need targeted interventions such as flu vaccination, infection prevention and control, etc.
My third and last message I would like to stress: WHO is a steadfast partner, in this health emergency, but also in building the future health and well-being of those living in Turkey and the whole European region.
Our team has been working very closely with Turkey’s Ministry of Health to develop the country’s preparedness and response plans, strengthen clinical capabilities for better testing, surveillance and treatment, train health workers, implement risk communications and community engagement strategies, support refugee camps with the equipment needed for personal protection, and psychological support to the population.
This collaboration has been made possible thanks to the generous support of the German Government and together with our sister agencies UNDP, UNFPA and UNICEF.
WHO has had a presence in Turkey for over 60 years. We have been and will remain, your resolute partner in delivering health and well-being to the people of Turkey, and those you so generously host.
Your solidarity in fighting this virus is an example for other countries to follow; we must continue to be resolute in extinguishing COVID-19 wherever it appears; and WHO thanks you for the strong support in the mission and mandate of WHO; we work together now and in the years ahead.
Thank you.
