Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) Health Sciences Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. Mehtap Malkoç provided information about the 3rd of December World Disability Day and the EMU Center for Healthy Living which is within the scope of the EMU Health Sciences Faculty. Prof. Dr. Malkoç’s statement is as follows:
EMU Center for Healthy Living is a center that has been constantly growing and developing since its formation in March 2016. The primary aim of the center is to improve disabled people’s physical health and integrate them into the society. All treatment of the disabled individual is met by providing specialized nursing services as well as the service of a specialized physiotherapist and dietitian. Development is closely tracked in order provide a top quality service. EMU Center for Healthy Living provides modern treatment methods with outstanding technological devices.
Prof. Dr. Malkoç stated that they aim to reduce existing incompetency and increase physical ability of children with acquired or congenital functional disabilities, high risk neonates and children diagnosed with cerebral palsy, muscular torticollis, spina bifida, injury of brachial plexus, muscular diseases, autism and down syndrome, whilst also supporting them psychosocially.
Prof. Dr. Malkoç also indicated that adults suffering from neuromuscular diseases (such as Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy, Myotonic Dystrophy, Amyotrophic Lateral Dystrophy, etc.) as well as Strokes, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Intracranial Tumors, Head Traumas, Polyneuropathies, Spinal Cord Injuries and Peripheral Nerve Injuries are being carefully examined and directed to suitable physiotherapy programs. Prof. Dr. Malkoç highlighted the significant contributions of EMU Center for Healthy Living in fulfilling these insufficiencies by adopting a multidisciplinary sense of work. Prof. Dr. Malkoç underlined the importance of physiotherapy in the improvement of general physical health also stating that in order to improve the living standards of people with disabilities, absolute regulations must be made both in buildings and in environmental architecture.
Throughout the world and in our country the 3rd of December World Disability Day, should be viewed as an opportunity to integrate disabled citizens into the community whilst ensuring that they have equal rights with other citizens. Prof Dr. Malkoç noted “Protective approaches that could prevent disabilities must be emphasized as well as opportunities provided to improve the physical and mental state of disabled individuals. The 3rd of December is a day of awareness that should also increase social involvement rights of disabled people such as the right for education and employment.”
The value a community gives to its disabled citizens and their family is an important indicator how developed the community is. For this reason Prof. Dr. Malkoç stated that state policies and health services must be developed, precautions increased and community education valued. Prof. Dr. Malkoç also stated that by changing the community perspective and ensuring the social participation of disabled individuals by minimizing transportation problems and carrying out architectural arrangements, productivity of disabled individuals will be increased. Prof. Dr. Malkoç concluded by highlighting the responsibility of government representatives and non-governmental organizations in increasing this productivity.
