Organized in cooperation with the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), the Association of Anesthesiology and Reanimation Specialists (ARUD), the Macedonian Society of Anesthesiologists and Intensive Care Medicine (MSA), and the International Balkan University, the 9th Balkan Countries Anesthesia Days were held in the capital Skopje.
The event brought together approximately 190 healthcare professionals from Balkan countries, primarily from Türkiye and North Macedonia, providing significant contributions to scientific and professional interaction through both theoretical and practical training. This year’s main theme was determined as “Preparedness for Disasters in Anesthesia and Intensive Care.”
Focusing on the resilience of healthcare systems in the face of increasing global disasters, pandemics, and humanitarian crises, the program addressed topics such as planning of anesthesia and intensive care services in disaster situations, resource management, rapid response strategies, and international cooperation mechanisms. Additionally, current scientific developments in anesthesiology, intensive care, and reanimation were evaluated with an interdisciplinary approach.
Through panels, conferences, scientific presentations, and clinical training sessions conducted with the contributions of academics and expert physicians, the event aimed to develop common strategies for disaster preparedness on both regional and global scales. The congress not only enhanced professional interaction among countries in the region but also laid a strong foundation for joint health policies and academic cooperation.
In the opening speeches of the congress, the importance of scientific solidarity and coordination of healthcare services during crises was emphasized, the contributions to international scientific cooperation and the strengthening of healthcare systems, particularly in the Balkan region, were highlighted. It was stated that the congress, supported by TİKA, was a significant scientific gathering that strengthened health diplomacy between Türkiye and regional countries and increased disaster preparedness capacity.
The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has renewed the kitchen equipment of the Milutin Milankovic High School Dormitory, located in the city center of Belgrade.
The dormitory accommodates approximately 300 students and provides around 1,000 meals daily. As part of the project, outdated kitchen appliances and utensils that had reached the end of their service life were replaced with modern equipment, ensuring a more hygienic, safe, and high-quality food service for the students.
The project aims to enhance the dormitory’s service capacity and to better meet the accommodation and nutrition needs of young people continuing their education under improved conditions.
The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has renovated the dialysis center at Bokhtar Central Hospital, which serves a population of 3.5 million in the Hatlon Region.
Within the scope of the project, new dialysis machines were provided, and a modern water purification system was installed at the center, which had long been out of service due to a lack of equipment. The opening ceremony was attended by Gafur Muhsinzoda, First Deputy Minister of Health of Tajikistan, Anzurat Abdusalomzoda, Deputy Governor of Hatlon, and İbrahim Ethem Ünal, TİKA’s Dushanbe Coordinator.
Due to transportation difficulties caused by Tajikistan’s geographical conditions, patients seeking dialysis treatment had long been forced to travel to Dushanbe. However, thanks to the renovated center, patients will now be able to access these services within their own region. The center will be able to respond not only to the needs of chronic kidney patients but also to cases of acute kidney failure, birth complications, and poisoning.
Aiming to reinforce the healthcare infrastructure of Hatlon and enhance the quality of patient care, the project also strives to upgrade general healthcare standards. Thanks to the newly operational center, dialysis patients can now receive treatment in a secure and modern facility without facing exhausting journeys.
In cooperation with the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) and the Hands Giving Lives Association, a wide range of healthcare services, from outpatient consultations to surgical operations, was provided at Mnazi Mmoja and Kiwunge Hospitals in Zanzibar, Tanzania.
During the healthcare organization carried out with the participation of a volunteer medical team, approximately 200 patients underwent surgical procedures in the fields of ophthalmology, gynecology, gynecologic oncology, urology, and general surgery.
As part of the organization, medical interventions were carried out in cooperation with local healthcare workers.
The volunteer academic staff provided training in relevant fields, contributing to strengthening local capacity. After evaluating the patients’ conditions and providing necessary information, the organization was completed.
Local authorities expressed their gratitude to the Hands Giving Lives Association and TİKA for their contributions to the activities carried out in the region.
With the support of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), the OECD Urban Development Days were held in Paris, brought together global leaders with a vision for sustainable cities.
More than 150 mayors, urban planning experts, and innovators participated in the event, where the future of cities was discussed in line with the principles of inclusivity, circularity, and resilience.
During the event, OECD’s latest data was shared with the public, and key topics such as the construction of livable cities, solutions to the housing crisis, efficient resource use, resilient structures against climate change, and development goals beyond 2030 were discussed.
Participants exchanged ideas on innovative solutions to make cities more inclusive and sustainable, while emphasizing the importance of international cooperation.
At the conclusion of the three-day event, the “Resilience for Cities and Regions” action call was published, emphasizing the will of local and regional actors to unlock the potential of cities by working together with the public, private sector, and civil society. It was highlighted that local solutions must be developed in areas such as digital and green transformation, climate change mitigation, housing issues, water management, and regional inequalities.
Additionally, it was stated that concrete steps must be taken regarding multi-level governance, inclusive services, the use of digital tools, and alternative financing models, while calling on the OECD to contribute to this process with its information and analysis support.
The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) contributes to young people’s access to technological opportunities through the Cezeri Lab project implemented in Moldova.
As part of the project, a two-week training program was organized for 20 participants, including 15 academics and 5 students, to ensure the effective use of the Cezeri Laboratory equipped with advanced technological devices. Participants received both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience in 3D design and printing, robotic applications, and mechatronics projects.
The certificate ceremony organized at the end of the program was attended by Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Chișinău, Uygar Mustafa Sertel, TİKA Chișinău Coordinator Tarık Mete, and Vice-Rector of Moldova State University, Prof. Dr. Vladimir Dolghi.
The Cezeri Laboratories are equipped with devices produced in Türkiye
Through its Cezeri Laboratories set up in various countries, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bangladesh, Algeria, and South Africa, TİKA is offering young people the opportunity to access advanced technology. These laboratories, equipped with 3D printers, CNC router devices, laser cutters, and robotic sets made in Türkiye, have become centers of innovation for engineering students and academic researchers.
With the support of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), the Emergency and Disaster Response Training Program (ADAMEP) was successfully completed in Tanzania.
Organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Home Affairs of Tanzania, TİKA, and Konya Metropolitan Municipality (KMM), the training program was carried out by the expert staff of the KMM Fire Department between April 7 and 17, 2025.
The training was attended by 35 personnel from the Fire and Rescue Force operating under the Tanzanian Ministry of Home Affairs. The participants were trained both theoretically and practically in basic firefighting, fire response, first aid, traffic accident rescue, urban search and rescue, debris safety, and rope-based rescue techniques.
Simultaneously with the training, TİKA provided the Dar es Salaam Fire Department with search and rescue equipment, including generators, rescue stretchers, personal protective equipment, fall arrest devices, and specialized cutting tools.
As part of the program, the ceremony for the equipment handover was attended by the Turkish Ambassador to Tanzania, Bekir Gezer, the General Commissioner of the Tanzanian Fire and Rescue Force, John William Masunga, the Fire Department Head of Konya Metropolitan Municipality, Ibrahim Navruz, and the TİKA Dar es Salaam Coordinator, Filiz Şahinci.
General Commissioner Masunga expressed gratitude to Türkiye for the contribution of the training to the disaster management approach and for TİKA’s equipment support. Fire Department Head Navruz emphasized that the program has turned into not only a transfer of knowledge but also a sustainable bridge of brotherhood.
TİKA Dar es Salaam Coordinator Şahinci, in her speech, stated that the second phase of the program will be held in Türkiye in the format of a “Training of Trainers”, contributing to the dissemination of the acquired knowledge by the Tanzanian personnel in their country.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) continues its efforts to strengthen the health infrastructure in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu. In this context, extensive medical equipment support was provided to De Martino Hospital, the largest public hospital in Mogadishu.
The official handover ceremony was attended by Somalia’s Minister of Health, Dr. Ali Hajiadam Abubakar, along with TİKA representatives and administrators from De Martino Hospital.
Within the scope of the project, the hospital received a range of essential medical equipment, including neonatal incubators, hospital beds, stretchers, patient monitors, defibrillators, and other vital devices. These will primarily serve the neonatal care unit, inpatient departments, and intensive care units.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Abubakar expressed his sincere appreciation to the Republic of Türkiye, the Turkish people, and TİKA, emphasizing that the support marks a significant contribution to the advancement of Somalia’s healthcare infrastructure.
The support is expected to significantly improve the treatment capacity for critical and neonatal patients, while also enhancing the overall service quality and operational efficiency of the hospital.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) built workshops at the Jowzjan Vocational and Technical Training Institute to be used by students and teachers during technical and vocational activities in order to improve their dexterity.
Speaking to an AA reporter, TİKA Mazar-i-Sharif Coordinator Fazıl Akın Erdoğan stated that all the equipment and materials provided to the Jowzjan Vocational and Technical Training Institute, consisting of 275 items, were state-of-the-art materials brought from Turkey that were essential for an institute and had the capacity to serve the entire country.
Noting that the institute and its dormitory buildings were also built by TİKA, Erdoğan said that this aid aimed to increase the theoretical and practical training capacity of the institute, which had a capacity of 1200 students. Erdoğan added that the institute provides training in electrical and electronic technologies, construction technology, engine technology, mechanical installation, natural gas, and metal technology. Sayed Hazretşah Barlas, Principal of the Jowzjan Vocational and Technical Training Institute, stressed that TİKA has made great investments in Afghanistan and especially Jowzjan. Barlas stated that the institute did not have sufficient equipment for applied training before and that students could not improve themselves sufficiently for this reason. Barlas said, “TİKA built state-of-the-art, modern, and world-class workshops in our institute and fulfilled all our needs in this sense.” Stating that TİKA had previously built a modern institute and dormitory buildings, Barlas said, “Turkish courses began in our institute for the first time upon the requests of our students. We cannot thank TİKA and Turkey enough.”
The fifth training program of the training project launched by Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) for 12 OIC member states in cooperation with the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Center for Islamic Countries (SESRIC) and the Ministries of Health of Turkey and Sudan was organized in the Gambia.
As a continuation of the activities initiated at the end of 2017 as part of TİKA’s Emergency Medicine Capacity Building Program (ATKAP), Sudan and Turkey continue to collaborate to carry out training activities for third countries.
As part of the project, TİKA, the SESRIC, and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Turkey provided the “Introduction to Disaster and Emergency Response (ADG+)” training to a total of 228 Sudanese healthcare providers, including 58 trainers, in 2017 and 2018 and completed the activities to build human capacity in Sudan. This training aimed to create the local trainer pool that Sudan needs to fulfill its leading role in emergency healthcare services in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
As of 2019, 58 Sudanese participants who became trainers by completing the 1-year training program started to share their experiences with the healthcare providers in 12 OIC member states where TİKA offices are located. After Djibouti, Chad, Somalia, and Guinea, the training courses, which are highly important to ensure coordination among the OIC countries and build common capacity for response to disasters and emergencies, were also held in the Gambia.
With the support and coordination of TİKA, a team of Sudanese and Turkish trainers gave the “Introduction to Disaster and Emergency Response (ADG+)” training to 28 doctors, nurses, and first aid specialists determined by the Ministry of Health of the Gambia. It is aimed to build trainer capacity in the Gambia by selecting prospective candidates among trainees, offering advanced courses to them, and training them as trainers.
Certificates were presented to trainees according to their level of success at a ceremony attended by the Republic of Turkey’s Ambassador to Banjul İsmail Sefa Yüceer, Secretary-General of the Gambia Red Cross Society Alasan Senghore, and officials of the Ministry of Health of the Gambia. Attending the ceremony on behalf of Undersecretary of the Minister of Health of the Gambia, Dr. Charles Roberts, Manager of the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital, expressed his gratitude to TİKA for its support in such an important training program.
With ATKAP, TİKA conveys Turkey’s experience in the health industry to different parts of the world. TİKA aims to continue the project in 2020 with the ADG+ training courses to be held in 7 OIC member states.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) renovated the infrastructure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan.
The ceremony organized for the renovation of the kitchen of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan was attended by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Administrative Affairs Naheed Esar, the Republic of Turkey’s Ambassador to Kabul Oğuzhan Ertuğrul, Director General of the Department of Cultural Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Touryalay Ghiyasi, Director of Yunus Emre Institute Selçuk Doğan, TİKA Kabul Coordinator Zühtü Çal, and other guests.
At the beginning of the program, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ms. Esar expressed her gratitude to TİKA and Turkey for the project. Ambassador Ertuğrul underlined the long-standing friendship between the people of the two countries and stated that Turkey will continue to support Afghanistan in every area in the future. Kabul Program Coordinator Çal said that the modernization of the kitchen enabled service in more hygienic conditions. All of the equipment provided by TİKA is the state-of-the-art equipment brought from Turkey.
