By Zeynep Rakipoglu, Berk Ozkan, Elif Kucuk
ISTANBUL (AA) - Turkey's health minister told member country representatives Friday at Turkic Council's Health Scientific Board Meeting in Istanbul that Ankara continues “to contribute to our brotherly countries" to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
Turkey is doing that "by sharing our locally produced personal protective equipment such as masks, overalls, medicines and respirators,” said Fahrettin Koca. “And we share knowledge and experience with our sister scientists.”
He said the goal of the Turkic Council Joint Supply Chain meeting in August was to minimize the economic effects of the pandemic and to meet existing needs through member countries of the council.
Koca said Turkey conveyed a proposal to the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare 2020 as the "Year of Healthcare Professionals" worldwide via diplomatic channels, because of the selfless efforts of medical staff across the world during the outbreak.
The meeting was attended by Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, communications director Fahrettin Altun, AK Party spokesperson Omer Celik and WHO Regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge.
Turkic Council Health Scientific Board Meetings are held every and chaired by the Turkish Health deputy minister, who was elected chairman of the board.