A 'farewell' message from former Health Minister Fahrettin Koca: 'Stay healthy'

President and AKP Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has appointed Istanbul Provincial Health Director Kemal Memişoğlu to the Ministry of Health, which was vacated by Fahrettin Koca following his resignation. 

Koca, who held the handover ceremony, addressed citizens and healthcare workers in two separate posts on X.

Koca's posts are as follows:

"My dear citizens,

The most meaningful period of my life is the time I served as your Minister of Health. During this period, we faced difficult trials, and with your support, we were successful. In our services, I tried to be as close to every patient as their own physician. Your appreciation was encouraging, and your criticism was guiding. I am happy for every patient we helped find healing. Stay healthy. I thank you for your kindness.

Dear healthcare workers,

We went through periods that required working with unique dedication. I am grateful to you for your efforts. Your problems should definitely have been accepted as among the priority issues of the healthcare system, and we tried to develop the necessary solutions. I wanted to be your physician colleague more than your superior, and I will remain so. I thank each and every one of you."