Within the framework of International Cardiometabolic Syndrome Eastern Mediterranean Congress’ organised jointly by Eastern Mediterranean University, Cyprus Geriatrics Foundation, and Turkish Diabetics Foundation and taking place under the auspices of TRNC President Dr. Derviş Eroğlu, a book signing event and “Health and Media Panel” took place at Rauf Raif Denktaş Culture and Congress Hall on Friday, 7 November 2014.
The book signing event which took place under the theme of “From Health to Literature” brought together a number of Turkish Cypriot writers some of whom were Cyprus Turkish Doctors’ Association chair Dr. Filiz Besim, Dr. Arif Albayrak, Dr. Okan Dağlı, Journalist/Writer Ahmet Tolgay and Turkish Chambers of Medical Doctors chair Dr. Cemal Mert.
Dr. Arif Ali Albayrak participated in the book signing day with “To You My Cyprus, Time Never Stops in This Place, The Fall in Your Eyes, Always You and Double Loneliness” and 6 different CDs, Dr. Okan Dağlı “Famagusta From Past to Future”, Dr. Cemal Mert “10th Village for Those who Got Sacked from 9 Villages, The Shop with No Customers or Left Administering”, Ahmet Tolgay “Naphthalene Smelling Cyprus” and his joint work with Dr. Filiz Besim entitled “Dr. Kaya”.
Following the signing event, a panel entitled “Health and Media” took place under the moderatorship of Dr. Filiz Besim and EMU Communication Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. Süleyman İrvan. Among the participants of the panel were Ahmet Tolgay, Cenk Mutluyakalı, Aysu Basri and EMU TV Director Serkan Şen who discussed the perspective of media on the health sector, the health topics which receive more attention in media, mistakes encountered in health related news, and journalists experiences in the relevant field.
EMU Communication Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. Süleyman İrvan stated that health news topics are delivered in four distinct categories as “A Cure was Found”, “Miracle”, “Panic” and “Good for Health”.
EMU TV Director Serkan Şen put forth that there is a lack of availability in the field of health journalism in Turkey, mainly due to the increasing public attention towards serials, films and magazines. Şen also added that many popular health programs giving health related information are available in Turkey.
Journalist Cenk Mutluyakalı stated that health-related news is not patient oriented as the main point between the media and health relationship is to make news on behalf of those who have suffered from health related problems. Cyprus Turkish Doctors’ Association chair Dr. Filiz Besim stated that the country is experiencing lack of systematisation in the health sector and all stakeholders should collaborate to make the present health sytem patient-oriented.
Journalist Akay Cemal put forth that “There have been big developments in medicine and modern hospitals have been constructed. However, we are unable to reach the desired level due to lack of systematisation”. Cemal also stated that the news are politics oriented and the rights of patients and doctors are violated.
Journalist Aysu Basri expressed that media has not created an awareness regarding the health sector and due to lack of systematisation, many cancer patients are receiving treatment under difficult conditions.
The panel ended with a question-answer session.
