The “1st International, 2nd National Health Sciences Congress”, held under the theme “Inclusivity and Accessibility in the Digital Health Era: Sustainable Solutions for All”, has officially begun at our university. The program, hosted at the Abdullah Tivnikli Conference Hall, brought together numerous participants from academia, public institutions, and the healthcare sector.
In his opening speech, IZU Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Cevat Acar shared remarks on Turkey’s healthcare system. Highlighting that Turkey is one of the most socially oriented countries in the world in terms of access to healthcare, Rector Acar said: “A Turkish citizen can go to the highest-level hospital just for a headache. This is very valuable, but it also disrupts certain balances in the system. Mechanisms like the referral chain must be re-evaluated. Health is a vital field, and the state’s responsibility in this area is a requirement of being a social state.”
BAHÇECİK: WE MUST DEVELOP INCLUSIVE SOLUTIONS
Congress Chair and Dean of IZU’s Faculty of Health Sciences, Prof. Dr. Ayşe Nefise Bahçecik, emphasized that digital health technologies are not merely innovations but essential tools for the sustainability and equity of health systems. Stressing that technology alone is not sufficient, she stated: “We must produce inclusive solutions by taking into account socio-economic inequalities and access difficulties for the elderly and individuals with disabilities.” She also noted that the congress would include discussions on how systems such as artificial intelligence, mobile health applications, and remote patient monitoring could be integrated within ethical frameworks.
KILIÇ: WE WILL SHAPE NOT JUST TODAY, BUT TOMORROW
Op. Dr. Zülfü Kılıç, Head of Health Services at the Istanbul Provincial Health Directorate, pointed out that digital transformation is not only a development but also a matter of management, saying: “Digitalization in health brings about revolutionary changes. However, this transformation does not only bring benefits; it also introduces new barriers, challenges, and risks that must be managed. Platforms where academia and practitioners work together are essential for a healthy future. The insights gained here will shape not only today but also tomorrow.”
Throughout the congress, both online and in-person panel sessions are addressing topics ranging from AI-supported healthcare services to cross-cultural nursing. Regional health projects carried out by students, product competitions, and scientific presentations are among the program's highlights. The international event is conducted in both Turkish and English, with simultaneous interpretation services provided.