Cooperation protocol signed for celiac disease awareness…

A cooperation protocol was signed between Üsküdar University and the Celiac Disease Foundation. Coming together to raise awareness about celiac disease in Turkey, Celiac Disease Foundation Founder and Board Chairman Dr. Elif Bal Beşikçi and Üsküdar University Founding Rector and Head of the Executive Board Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan discussed the details of the cooperation. 

Celiac Disease Foundation Founder and Board Chairman Dr. Elif Bal Beşikçi, Üsküdar University Founding Rector and Head of the Executive Board Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, Üsküdar University Rector Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör, Secretary General Selçuk Uysaler, Deputy Secretary General Asil Barış Bağ, Head of Corporate Communications Tahsin Aksu, and Media PR Unit Manager Şaban Özdemir attended the cooperation protocol held at Üsküdar University Senate Hall.

Celiac Disease Foundation Founder Elif Bal Beşikçi: “We aim to raise celiac disease awareness”

Celiac Disease Foundation Founder and Board Chairman Dr. Elif Bal Beşikçi underlined that the aim of the Celiac Disease Foundation is to create awareness about gluten-free nutrition in Turkey. Beşikçi stated; “Today, with this official ceremony, we will bring to fruition Üsküdar University’s support for our Celiac Disease Foundation. The Celiac Disease Foundation was established in April 2023, and since its establishment, our foundation has carried out various activities for celiac patients. Our aim is to raise awareness of celiac disease in Turkey and to champion the cause of gluten-free nutrition, which is a particular challenge associated with the disease. We are working to advocate for access to gluten-free nutrition in universities, schools, workplaces, and social life – in all areas of life. I am very happy to be in cooperation here today.”

Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “Social responsibility projects are valuable”

Üsküdar University Founding Rector and Head of the Executive Board Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, emphasizing the immense value of social responsibility projects like the Celiac Disease Foundation and the significance of public awareness efforts, stated; “In the world, especially in Denmark, there is a population of ten million, and twenty million people have formed associations. The United Nations declared that civil society organizations are partners, not participants, of the government. The establishment of the Celiac Disease Foundation and its work in this field are important.”

“Through awareness activities, you will facilitate early diagnosis for many people”

In his speech, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, stating that one should not act solely on the opinion of a single physician, said; “There are three types of medical practice: curative medicine, diagnostic medicine, and preventive medicine. The most important is preventive medicine, which means working to keep people from getting sick. Through public awareness and information campaigns about diseases, you will facilitate early diagnosis for many people. There is professional blindness in medicine, and indeed in many professions. Rare diseases are often overlooked amidst routine illnesses and are evaluated based on the most common possibilities. Without detailed examination and an inquisitive approach, routine issues can be overlooked; therefore, one should not act solely on the opinion of a single physician. In persistent cases, it is crucial to obtain a second opinion on this matter. This should especially be observed in diseases involving stomach and intestinal burning. In cases of unresolving, chronic growth retardation, celiac disease should be considered as an option. As a university, for these awareness activities, we will research ‘What will we do in our own dining hall?’ and we can conduct seminars for students and activities within the scope of university culture on this matter. It is necessary to work on this by contacting our Nutrition and Dietetics department and Child Development department; we can conduct both scientific research and awareness campaigns. As a university, we will try to do our best in this regard.”