A large-scale social and medical campaign has been organised for children from low-income Azerbaijani families living in Istanbul to mark 8 November – Victory Day.
The initiative was launched by the State Committee on Work with Diaspora of the Republic of Azerbaijan and organised by the Federation of Turkish-Azerbaijani Associations (TADEF) and the Association of All Azerbaijani Doctors. As part of the project, 200 Azerbaijani children received free medical examinations and healthcare services.
Held for the first time in Turkey on such a scale and in this format, the campaign provided access to quality medical care for children from financially disadvantaged Azerbaijani families living in Istanbul who do not have health insurance.
A professional medical team provided examinations and healthcare services in paediatrics, ear, nose and throat medicine, dentistry, ophthalmology and speech therapy. The team included general surgeon Dr Amil Hajiyev, dentist Dr Ruslan Agasiyev, ENT specialists Dr Musa Musayev and Dr Elvin Humbatli, assistant physician Dr Shahin Dehghani, paediatricians Dr Nigar Tagizade, Dr Aygul Nabaliyeva and Dr Uzeyir Ismayilzade, neurologist Dr Zahra Hajiyeva, speech and language therapist Dr Nuriye Novruzova, and ophthalmology specialist Dr Ulviyya Asgarova. A mobile laboratory also operated at the venue with the organisational support of Sanan Guliyev, chairman of the Association of Young Azerbaijanis.
TADEF Deputy Chairman Parviz Mammadov, Chairman of the Association of All Azerbaijani Doctors and specialist in interventional neurology and stroke treatment Dr Vugar Jafar, Chairman of the Association of Young Azerbaijanis Sanan Guliyev, Aygun Hasanoglu, director of the private Aygun Personal Development Courses educational institution in Istanbul, named after National Hero Mubariz Ibrahimov, and other speakers highlighted the project's social importance and stressed the need to provide medical services to children from low-income families.
They noted that the initiative, organised on the occasion of Victory Day, demonstrated the care and attention extended to Azerbaijanis living abroad, as well as the humanitarian dimension of Azerbaijani-Turkish brotherhood.
The speakers thanked the doctors who participated voluntarily, the State Committee on Work with Diaspora, TADEF, the Association of Young Azerbaijanis and everyone who contributed to organising the project. Appreciation was also expressed to Khaladdin Guliyev, head of Vefa Ilac, for supporting the provision of vitamin complexes to the children.
In addition to members of the Association of All Azerbaijani Doctors, Azerbaijani physicians working at various medical institutions across Turkey also participated in the project on a voluntary basis.
The campaign once again demonstrated that Azerbaijani-Turkish brotherhood extends beyond political and cultural relations to include humanitarian cooperation, social responsibility and practical support for fellow nationals. The Victory Day initiative is particularly significant for supporting Azerbaijani families living abroad, strengthening diaspora solidarity and safeguarding a healthy future for children.