Day: September 9, 2021

The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, “is grateful for its strong partnership” with Turkey, an official said Wednesday.

Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, arrived in Turkey for a working visit on Sept. 7 and was received by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday.

Grandi said on Twitter that he held discussions with Erdogan on solutions “for Syrian refugees in Turkey and in the region, and on the need to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan.

“The UNHCR is grateful for its strong partnership with Turkey in both endeavors,” he added.

Separately, Grandi also met with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in the capital Ankara.

Thanking Cavusoglu “for a good discussion on issues of forced displacement in Turkey and the region,” Grandi said social media that “with Syria’s refugee crisis in its 11th year and Afghanistan’s humanitarian situation deteriorating, we must strengthen responses and accelerate the search for solutions.”

For his part, Cavusoglu after the meeting on Twitter said: “Migration is a common issue in all countries. Fair burden and responsibility sharing is a must.”

Earlier Wednesday, Grandi also met with Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu.

Describing the meeting as a good one, Grandi said on Twitter that he and Soylu had “discussed how to address Turkey’s growing migratory challenges as it continues to host a large population of Syrian, Afghan and other refugees.”

“More international help is needed!” he added.

Grandi is also expected to visit Sanliurfa and Gaziantep provinces.

Turkey has been a key transit point for asylum seekers who want to cross into Europe to start new lives, especially those fleeing war and persecution.

Turkey, which already hosts 4 million refugees — more than any country in the world — is taking new security measures within and on its borders to prevent a fresh influx of migrants.

Source: Anadolu Agency

A recent stark increase in suicide rates in Tanzania highlights a growing mental health crisis plaguing the society as young people experience bouts of toxic emotions that lead them to take their own lives, experts have warned.

Suicide mortality rates among people aged 15 to 29 have increased significantly in Tanzania during the past decade as people end their lives by hanging, poisoning, and shooting themselves, according to official data.

In 2016, more than 3,000 people killed themselves in Tanzania, placing the country fourth in Africa with the highest suicide rates.

As the world marks World Suicide Prevention Day on Sept. 10, mental health experts in Tanzania have urged authorities to adopt effective suicide prevention strategies to rescue the younger generation.

Worldwide problem

Suicide is a major public health problem accounting for approximately 6% of all deaths in young people. Globally, one person dies of suicide every 40 seconds, cumulating to about 800,000 deaths every year, according to the World Health Organization.

While officials link suicide to a mental health crisis, researchers have established strong correlations between suicide and social and economic crisis such as unemployment, family conflicts, failed marriages, domestic violence, and unwanted pregnancies.

Identity crisis

While Tanzania is banking on young people to drive its economic future and bring social development, the majority of them face a serious identity crisis that deters them to realize their potential.

Praxeda Swai, a senior psychiatrist and mental health specialist at the Muhimbili National Hospital in Tanzania, said young people often kill themselves when they fail to solve the emotional problems they face.

“We are in the middle of a serious mental health crisis,” she told Anadolu Agency.

According to her, the toxic mix of psychological problems due to social and economic woes could trigger a wave of suicides among young people who are still learning what life is about.

At a busy Sinza suburb in Dar es Salaam, local residents were shocked when 29-year-old Alex Korosso, an accountant with a local firm, killed his friend after an argument over a drink and shot himself in late July.

According to eyewitnesses, the visibly disturbed young man reached his decision after he was disappointed in his relationship.

Despite being a major public health threat, experts say suicidal behavior has not been thoroughly investigated, thus prompting more people to kill themselves.

Swai urged the government to adopt effective suicide monitoring and prevention strategies to help young people cope with stressful situations.

“Many people who are mentally troubled don’t always seek help. Identifying people at risk of suicide can help save their lives,” Swai said.

One important way to reduce the risk of death by suicide is to keep the victims from lethal medications and firearms.

“We must enhance life skills and help young people manage stressful situations,” she said.

A family secret

While death by suicide is the worst nightmare for parents, psychologists say most such incidents are often treated as a family secret that is not thoroughly investigated to protect other children from a similar fate.

Charles Mallow, a Dar es Salaam-based psychologist, said talking to the people on the verge of committing suicide can save their lives.

“If you are worried about your depressed child, you should openly talk to him/her and ask if he/she has suicidal thoughts,” Mallow said.

Mary Lyatuu visits her daughter’s grave at the Kinondoni Cemetery in Dar es Salaam every evening as she comes to terms with the loss so overwhelming months after her daughter took her own life.

“I feel pain in my heart, my daughter did not say goodbye to me,” she mourned.

Despite the eerie silence, solitude and darkness that engulf the cemetery, Lyatuu holds her rosary when she silently recites the litany of the Virgin Mary, as she desperately tries to find answers to hard questions plaguing her mind.

Lyatuu’s daughter Sarah, who was struggling with suicidal thoughts after she had failed to secure a job despite her impressive academic qualifications, took her own life early this year.

Meanwhile, Jorum Makumbi, a resident of Mwanza in northern Tanzania, still remembers a phone call he had received from his neighbor informing him his son Bakari is gone forever.

“It was the most traumatic experience of my life that I don’t want to recall,” he said.

On a fateful day, Makumbi was working in the field when he received the shocking news about his 21-year-old son who hanged himself using a bedsheet.

“I still struggle to understand the reasons that led my son to kill himself,” he said.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Turkey opened a youth center in northern Syria’s al-Bab district on Thursday, which was previously cleared of terrorists through Turkey’s Operation Euphrates Shield.

The youth center was established with the support of Turkey’s Youth and Sports Ministry.

The center, where 234 young people have already registered, provides training in painting, mental development, chess, intelligence games, basic computer training, handicrafts, music, karate and swimming.

Among officials attending the opening ceremony were Governor of Gaziantep province Davut Gul, Deputy Governor Anil Alkal and representatives of the Youth and Sports Ministry.

Euphrates Shield (2016) is one of the three successful anti-terror operations that Turkey has launched since 2016 across its border in northern Syria to prevent the formation of a terror corridor and enable the peaceful settlement of residents. The other two are Olive Branch (2018) and Peace Spring (2019).

Source: Anadolu Agency

“Turkey has been left alone in its extraordinary struggle to prevent irregular migration originating from Syria,” Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a video message sent to a symposium on the Aegean Sea and Turkish-Greek relations.?

Saying that the 2015 refugee crisis – when 1.3 million people came to Europe to request asylum – could have been instrumental in strengthening cooperation between Turkey and Greece, Erdogan said Athens wasted this opportunity with its “uncompromising stance.”

Turkey has been a key transit point for irregular migrants who want to cross into Europe to start new lives, especially those fleeing war and persecution such as the Syrian civil war.

Through its March 2016 agreement with the European Union, Turkey was instrumental in bringing down migrant numbers and alleviating the crisis.

On recent disputes with Greece, including the maritime jurisdiction areas, violations of the non-militarized status of Aegean islands, and provocative Navtex announcements, he said Turkey prioritizes solving issues through dialogue and negotiation.

Erdogan stressed that they never neglected opening up a field for diplomacy while defending Turkey’s legitimate rights arising from history and international law.

He said that Turkey expects Greece to respect its rights and interests and called on Athens to avoid “unilateral actions” and attempts at making faits accomplis.

“We will find solutions based on fairness, justice, and cooperation with Greece, observing neighborhood ties,” he added.

Turkish leaders have repeatedly stressed that Ankara is in favor of resolving outstanding problems in the region through international law, good neighborly relations, dialogue, and negotiations.

‘Unacceptable’ territorial waters demand by Greece

Speaking at the same event, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said Turkey and Greece have a variety of disputes, including the continental shelf, territorial waters, airspace, violations of the non-militarized status of islands in the region, provocative actions, as well as issues triggered by irregular migration and the European border agency Frontex.

He said Turkey is working hard to resolve these conflicts in line with international law, logic, and good neighborly relations, while the Greek side remained persistent in its aggressive attitude and acts.

Akar said Greece sought to expand its territorial waters to 12 miles unilaterally, which would translate into its domination over the Aegean as only one-fifth of the region would be open sea and two-thirds of it would become territorial waters of Athens.

This would make it almost impossible for the Turkish navy to cross into the Mediterranean through international waters, while third countries would also need Greece’s permission while crossing the Aegean Sea.

“There is no way Turkey would agree to this,” he added.

Akar added that the refugee crisis was a common problem of all countries with the EU in particular, and that the Greek attitude towards refugees made NATO’s work more challenging, adding that violations of basic human rights, inhumane detentions, and violations as well as forced pushbacks into Turkish regions by Greek authorities are unacceptable.

Turkey and human rights groups have repeatedly condemned Greece’s illegal practice of pushing back asylum seekers, saying it violates humanitarian values and international law by endangering the lives of vulnerable migrants, including women and children.

A recent report by Amnesty International, Greece: Violence, lies and pushbacks, documented “how the Greek authorities are conducting illegal pushbacks at land and sea.”

Pushbacks are considered contrary to international refugee protection agreements.

Source: Anadolu Agency

The concern is growing in the East African country of Kenya over an alarming rise in suicides. According to police, more than 500 people in the country took their lives in the first six months of 2021, more than in all of 2020.

On the eve of World Suicide Prevention Day, which is being observed on Friday, health officials said that economic woes are leading to depression. Frank Njenga, a psychiatrist practicing in the capital Nairobi, said this illness often remains undiagnosed due to stigma.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Njenga attributed the rising trend of people taking their own lives to social disruption caused by COVID-19. He urged the government to invest in improving public mental health.

Davis, who is now recuperating at a counseling center and wanted to give only one name, said COVID-19 made everything harder for him, as the virus’ economic disruption cost him his job.

“It reached a point that I didn’t want to live anymore,” he explained.

“I was wondering where I would get money to pay my bills and other problems affecting me. I was saved from near death and I found something to live for now that I’m stable thanks to a well-wisher.”

Admitting that the number of suicide cases was alarming, George Kinoti, chief of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations at the National Police Service, urged the taking of urgent remedial measures.

Decriminalization urged

According to a police report, central Kenya this year so far recorded the highest number of suicide cases, at 181. The Rift Valley region reported 68, Nyanza 67, Nairobi 63, the eastern region 57, the western region 29, the coastal region 14, and northeastern Kenya three cases so far this year.

Kenyan law criminalizes suicide. Health experts over the years have been urging the government to decriminalize suicide and invest in mental health programs.

Taking part in a seminar through a video link, Lukoye Atwoli, professor of psychiatry and dean of the Medical College, East Africa at Aga Khan University in Nairobi, said criminalization erects a considerable hurdle to provide relief to the people affected by depression.

“I consider this section of the law to be a serious indictment on how our society deals with our most vulnerable,” he said.

“Suicide attempts are at the tail end for a person who has severe psychological or social distress. It is not a decision anybody takes lightly, and it is sad that we as a society collectively seek to punish a person in that state of turmoil.”

Source: Anadolu Agency

Turkey is one of the most preferred countries in health tourism with its highly qualified medical staff, fast and effective health care services, world-class technological and medical equipment, affordable price advantage, thermal underground resources as well as traditional Turkish hospitality, according to an expert.

“Turkey has achieved great success in the field of health in the last 20 years,” Prof. Murat Dizbay, deputy chief physician and international health office manager at Gazi University Hospital in the capital Ankara, told Anadolu Agency on the occasion of Public Health Week celebrated every year between Sept. 3-9 in Turkey.

“Turkey, which has been closely following the recent technological innovations around the globe, has become a leader in its region with its specialized health professionals,” Dizbay said.

Patients from many countries across the world as well as neighboring countries visit Turkey to receive treatment, he noted, adding Turkish institutions, both in the private sector and in the public sector (university and state hospitals), have achieved significant successes in the field of medicine.

Today, there is annual traffic of 30 million people who go out of their countries as part of health tourism in order to receive quality health services with more affordable prices and shorter waiting times. Health tourism expenditures in the world are expressed with nearly $500 billion, International Health Services Inc. (USHAS), an institution of the Turkish Health Ministry, said on its official website.

Turkey’s target for 2023 in health tourism is to reach 1.5 million health tourists and $10 billion in health tourism income, according to USHAS.

Fast and effective health care services

In recent years, Turkey has risen to the top among the most preferred countries in the world with its rapidly developing health tourism potential.

Underlining that Turkey has a deep-rooted history in providing health services, Dizbay said spa and thermal facilities in the country have been attracting people from all around the world for thousands of years.

“Good results are achieved when the high-quality health service delivery is combined with friendliness and hospitality,” Dizbay noted.

The fact that international patients are offered shorter waiting times for diagnosis and treatment while receiving health care services is also an important factor that makes Turkey a leading country in the health sector, he stressed.

The rapid transfer of the latest technology used in the world to the country and affordable price advantage compared to developed countries make Turkey a center of attraction for health tourism, he said.

Dizbay added that the natural and historical beauty of the country also offers patients who visit the country for treatment the opportunity to have a holiday.

Impact of COVID-19 on health tourism in Turkey

The coronavirus pandemic has caused serious problems in the health sector in Turkey as well as all over the world, Dizbay said.

He noted that there was a significant decrease in the number of international patients after flights from countries whose citizens frequently visit Turkey was canceled during the full lockdown periods.

The increase in the burden of Turkish hospitals and the overwork of health workers during the pandemic period have also negatively affected health tourism in the country, he said.

Dizbay, however, underlined that Turkey has managed the recent crisis successfully thanks to its strong health system.

This success has also attracted the attention of patients and health care providers in other countries and led to a rapid increase in the number of patients visiting the country, according to Dizbay.

He said he expects the increasing trend in the number of patients coming from abroad will continue in the future.

The interest and investment of Turkey’s national government in health tourism is very high, he said, adding that in recent years, an increase has been observed also in the promotion of activities related to health tourism at the national and institutional level.

Health Tourism Data

In 2002, the share of health expenditures in tourism revenues of Turkey was 1%. However, this rate increased to 4.5% in 2020, according to data from USHAS.

In 2019, 662,087 patients received health services as part of health tourism. The amount of tourism income from foreign visitors and citizens residing abroad visiting for health tourism and medical reasons was more than $1.06 billion.

In 2020, 388,150 patients preferred Turkey to receive health services as the global coronavirus pandemic caused a remarkable decrease in the number of health tourists. The amount of tourism income decreased to around $549 million.

In the first quarter of 2021, 110,716 people received health services, and the amount of income obtained was more than $196.73 million.

The most preferred clinical branches by international patients are respectively gynecology, internal diseases, ophthalmology, medical biochemistry, general surgery, dentistry, orthopedics and traumatology, infectious diseases, and otorhinolaryngology.

USHAS was established in 2019 with its headquarters in Ankara to promote the services offered in the field of international health services in Turkey to support and coordinate the activities of public and private sectors towards health tourism.

Source: Anadolu Agency

“We remember with respect our martyr Bora Suelkan, Administrative Attaché of the Turkish Consulate General in Burgas, assassinated in the heinous attack by the Armenian terrorist organization JCAG on 9 September 1982,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry said on Twitter.

On Sept. 9, 1982, in front of his house in the Bulgarian Black Sea port city, Suelkan was shot from close range with three bullets, one of which found his heart.

The attack was one of the scores of assassinations of Turkish diplomats and their families around the world by Armenian terror groups: the Armenian Secret Army for the Liberation of Armenia (ASALA), Armenian Justice Commandos (JCAG) and Armenian Revolutionary Army (ARA).

According to data compiled by Anadolu Agency, a total of 77 people – 58 of them Turkish citizens, including 31 diplomats and members of their families – lost their lives in attacks carried out by the terrorist groups from 1973 to 1986.

The murderous campaign started in 1973 when Turkey’s Consul General in Los Angeles Mehmet Baydar and diplomat Bahadir Demir were martyred in an attack by a terrorist named Gourgen Yanikian.

ASALA was the first Armenian terrorist group to wage war against Turkey. It targeted not only Turkey but also other countries and became infamous for a 1975 bomb attack on the Beirut office of World Council of Churches.

The JCAG initially gained notoriety by claiming responsibility with ASALA for the Oct. 22, 1975 attack on Danis Tunaligil, Turkey’s ambassador in Vienna.

The ARA is considered to be a continuation of JCAG under a different name.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Intelligence and police units conducted a simultaneous operation at determined addresses to nab 15 foreign nationals over their alleged ties to the terrorist group in conflict zones abroad, said the source on condition of anonymity. While 13 were held, efforts to nab the remaining suspects are underway.

In 2013, Turkey became one of the first countries to declare Daesh/ISIS a terrorist organization.

The country has since been attacked by the terrorist group multiple times, with over 300 people killed and hundreds more wounded in at least 10 suicide bombings, seven bomb attacks, and four armed assaults.

In response, Turkey launched anti-terror operations at home and abroad to prevent further attacks.

Source: Anadolu Agency