The "VI World Rare Disease Day Symposium" was held at our university to draw attention to rare diseases and raise awareness in the society.
The Sixth World Rare Disease Day Symposium discussed the definition of rare diseases, diagnosis, treatment and how patients should be fed. On our Eyüp Campus on the first day of the two-day symposium, education was given on how to prepare food and beverages for phenylketonuria and celiac disease.
Our Rector Prof. Dr. Rümeyza Kazancıoğlu, Assistant Rector Orhan Özturan, Faculty of Pharmacy Dean Prof. Dr. Gülaçtı Topçu, Faculty of Health Sciences Dean Prof. Dr. Ahmet Belce, our Executives, Academicians and Students attended the Symposium.
We can briefly describe rare diseases, which deeply concern physicians and bring them together today, as diseases that are seen in a small number of people compared to the population, genetically transmitted and adversely affecting the quality of life of a person. Today, it is known that there are more than 7 thousand diseases in the world that are termed as a rare disease.
Rare diseases affect 300 million in the world, while in Turkey it affects the lives of upto 7 million people. These figures show that the problem of rare diseases is too large to be underestimated and ignored. Being conscious of the community plays a crucial role in making timely and accurate diagnosis of rare diseases that adversely affect people's lives.
The most important problem encountered regarding the subject, in these patients, is the inadequacy of the awareness of the community concerned, especially the families. That is why it is very important to establish consciousness and awareness about rare diseases in society. By means of this activity our administrators, lecturers, physicians and health personnel need to address Rare Diseases much more."
Faculty of Health Sciences Dean Prof. Dr. Ahmet Belce, spoke as; "Diagnosis figures of rare diseases are increasing every year. Many of these are genetic diseases. However, not every rare disease is a genetic disease. There are also a number of rare diseases that are caused by viruses, bacteria and other factors. The genetically inherited diseases are the most relevent ones for Turkey. The main reason for this is the common relatives' marriages in our country. We know that one out of every five marriages in Turkey are consanguineous".
The VI. World Rare Diseases Day Symposium ended after the presentation of the congratulatory certificates and Plaquets awarded to the participants who carried out the presentation.
