Founding Rector of Üsküdar Üniversitesi, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, attended the II. International Eurasian Medical Congress held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. In the program aimed at developing medical cooperation among Turkic states, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that modern psychiatric medicine owes a great deal to Islamic teachings. Tarhan added that the trajectory of Islamic medicine shone again with Ibn Sina.
Many physicians from the international arena attended the congress held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The II. International Eurasian Medical Congress aimed to develop medical cooperation among Turkic states.
Tarhan Explains the Roots of Modern Psychiatric Medicine
Speaking at the opening of the congress, Founding Rector of Üsküdar Üniversitesi, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, delivered his presentation titled “The Roots of Modern Psychiatric Medicine.”
“They Combined Natural Philosophy with Islamic Creed”
Tarhan, providing information about the first hospital and pharmacy established by the Abbasids, stated: “The Umayyads of Al-Andalus established Europe’s first hospital. The belief that ‘there is a cure for every disease except death’ encouraged medicine in the Islamic world. Herbal medicines and syrups were produced. The word ‘syrup’ is also derived from this. Islamic scholars adopted Galen's hypothesis of a mixture of ‘Earth, Air, Fire, Water’. They also explained temperaments and dispositions this way. They defined hormonal imbalance. They combined Natural Philosophy with Islamic Creed. They ushered in the golden age of Islam.”
A Groundbreaking Physician of His Time, Abu Bakr al-Razi…
Tarhan, stating that Abu Bakr al-Razi was a groundbreaking physician of his time, said: “He wrote 237 books, half of which are related to medicine. He advocated empirical medicine and emphasized observation. He was the first to implement physician consultation. He wrote books on smallpox and measles. He defined differential diagnosis. His 25-volume encyclopedia named ‘Al-Hawi’ is famous.”
“The Trajectory of Islamic Medicine Shone Again with Sina”
Tarhan, drawing attention to Ibn Sina's importance in medical history, said: “The trajectory of Islamic medicine shone again with Sina. What Goethe is for Germans, Da Vinci for Italians, and Aristotle for Greeks, Ibn Sina is for Muslim Turks. Ibn Sina, with Al-Qanun fi al-Tibb (The Canon of Medicine) and Al-Shifa (The Book of Healing), documented all existing medical knowledge. He introduced the concepts of infection, hygiene, and quarantine to the West. It was taught as a foundational textbook for 500 years. No other book has been taught for such a long period.”
“Mevlana Strengthens Positive Values”
Tarhan, addressing positive psychology and Mevlana, said: “Positive psychology strengthens the positive, and Mevlana also strengthens positive values. Positive Psychology seeks to treat without causing harm, and the Masnavi approaches it in the same way. Positive Psychology means the Science of Happiness. The Masnavi has also created its own rituals.”
“Modern Psychiatric Medicine Owes a Great Deal to Islamic Teachings, Even if it Doesn't Reference Them”
Tarhan also provided information about TMS (rTMS) Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Therapy.
Lastly, Tarhan said, “Modern psychiatric medicine owes a great deal to Islamic teachings, even if it doesn't reference them.”
They Represented Üsküdar Üniversitesi
Within the scope of the congress, Dean of Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Medicine, Prof. Dr. Haydar Sur, presented on “The Perspective of Islamic Medical Scholars on Public Health and Their Works on This Topic”, while Dr. H. Dilek Güldütuna, Lecturer at the Institute of Sufi Studies, delivered her presentation titled “The Relationship Between Medicine and Spirituality: Abu Zayd al-Balkhi.”
The Development of Medical History Was Discussed Broadly
On the first day of the congress, the development of medical history in Islamic civilization and its historical geography was discussed. On other days, conferences and discussions were held in various fields such as surgery, radiology, urology, and gastroenterology.
Practical Workshops Were Held
Additionally, practical workshops with live surgeries were conducted for participants from local and Central Asian countries. Throughout the congress, information and experience sharing regarding educational methods, student exchange, and summer school programs took place between universities and medical faculties.
Turkey Was Represented in the International Arena
Also within the scope of the congress, Founding Rector of Üsküdar Üniversitesi, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Prof. Dr. Haydar Sur, represented Turkey and Üsküdar Üniversitesi in the international arena as Institutional Representatives at the Future Collaborations Roundtable Meeting.
The main topics of the congress were:
- Medical History
- Minimal Invasive Surgery and Robotic Surgery
- Oncology and Oncologic Surgery
- Diagnostic and Therapeutic Gastroenterology
- Education and Simulation in Medicine
- Modern Technology in Medicine and
- Artificial Intelligence in Medicine.