Under the auspices of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey, organized by the Ministry of Health and USHAŞ, and in collaboration with the World Health Organization, the “3rd Traditional and Complementary Medicine Congress” was successfully held at the Istanbul Lütfi Kırdar Congress Center from October 3-5, 2025. The congress, attended by approximately 1,700 participants from 31 countries, brought together scientists, health professionals, and international representatives.
Opening Speech by our Minister of Health, Prof. Dr. Kemal Memişoğlu
In his opening speech at the congress, our Minister of Health, Prof. Dr. Kemal Memişoğlu, stated, “Traditional and complementary medicine, integrated with modern medicine, is an important part of the Healthy Turkey Century vision with its scientific-based and human-centered approach to health.”
Minister Memişoğlu also announced that, as a result of discussions with the World Health Organization (WHO), the official process to establish a WHO Collaboration Center in Turkey had been initiated, adding, “This step will further strengthen our country’s international role in the field of traditional and complementary medicine and make Turkey a regional center in this field.”
Minister Memişoğlu emphasized that the congress is not only a platform for sharing scientific knowledge but also for international cooperation, joint research, and mutual exchange of experiences.
Historical Heritage and Anatolian Medicine
Minister Memişoğlu drew attention to Anatolia’s thousands of years of healing tradition, citing the Darüşşifa hospital founded in Kayseri under the leadership of Gevher Nesibe Sultan. “It is extremely important that this heritage be carried into the future by combining it with modern medicine,” he said.
As a reflection of the historical heritage emphasized by Minister Memişoğlu, today, 84 GETAT Application Centers, 2,160 application units, and more than 26,000 certified healthcare professionals across Turkey offer 15 different methods (acupuncture, phytotherapy, mesotherapy, cupping therapy, hypnosis, apitherapy, reflexology, osteopathy, music therapy, etc.) to citizens.
International Participation and Bilateral Meetings
Following Minister Memişoğlu’s speech, Health Ministers, Deputy Ministers, and Senior Executives from various countries also addressed the congress. The program included:
Health cooperation between Turkey and Syria with Syrian Health Minister Mr. Musab Nizal,
Current and future joint projects with Azerbaijani Deputy Health Minister Mr. Igar Gasimov,
Health cooperation within the framework of historical ties with Mr. Ochirbat Dagvadorj, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health of Mongolia,
International health services and future vision with Mr. Angel Ivanov Kunchev, Deputy Minister of Health of Bulgaria,
Bilateral meetings with Mr. Mikheil Sarjveladze, Minister of Business, Health, and Social Affairs of Georgia.
Minister Memişoğlu also held B2B meetings with Health Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Senior Executives, health professionals, and institutional representatives from different countries to evaluate opportunities for cooperation.
World Health Organization (WHO) and International Support
The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, also contributed to the congress by sending a video message. As part of the program, certificates of appreciation and plaques were presented to hospital administrators and physicians working in the GETAT unit who contribute to comprehensive health services.
Scientific sessions, panels, booths, and exhibition tours were held throughout the three-day congress. We would like to thank all our valued participants, scientists, health professionals, international guests, and everyone who contributed to our congress. We hope that this meeting, which strengthens Turkey’s vision for healthcare, will open new horizons for national and international collaborations in the field of traditional and complementary medicine.
