Admission from the Minister of Health: 'We have alienated physicians recently'

Minister of Health Kemal Memişoğlu made important statements regarding the mpox virus.

Minister Memişoğlu stated that as of 2024, the mpox disease has not been seen in Turkey and that no diagnosis related to this disease has been made in our country so far. 

MPOX IS NOT IN TURKEY 

Memişoğlu answered questions about the agenda on Habertürk TV. Stating that the mpox virus has been present in the Congo for 20 years and is not a new disease, Memişoğlu reminded that the World Health Organization declared an emergency in July 2022. This declaration continued until May 2023, and a few cases were seen in Europe and Turkey during that period.

Minister Memişoğlu said, "We do not have it currently. Now, it is being seen again in the same region in 2024 with a different version. This disease is a type normally seen in that region anyway. This is a variant that is said to be more contagious and transmitted through contact." Stating that necessary preparations have been made against this disease in Turkey, Memişoğlu expressed that they have formed a scientific committee and are planning the measures to be taken in the event of a possible case.

WILL MPOX LEAD TO A WIDESPREAD EPIDEMIC?

The Minister of Health stated that the possibility of the mpox virus leading to a widespread epidemic like COVID-19 is low because this disease generally spreads in limited regions such as Africa. However, he emphasized that the health system has begun to take all kinds of precautions and that they will fight this disease effectively, just as they were successful with COVID-19.

Furthermore, reminding that people who have had the smallpox vaccine are 85 percent protected against mpox, Memişoğlu noted that the disease begins with fever and headache and that cases arriving from Africa are being monitored. He added that the public is not in a state of alarm for now, but the health system is prepared.

WE HAVE UPSET PHYSICIANS

Finally, acknowledging that physicians have been offended and alienated from society, Memişoğlu said, "Unfortunately, we have offended and alienated physicians recently, I am speaking as a society. We have upset physicians as a society."