The February 6 earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş affected 11 provinces. Tens of thousands were killed and thousands were injured. For those experiencing limb loss, adapting to their new lives was also painful.
To remember the earthquake victims and take social responsibility, Istinye University has established a 'Prosthetics and Orthotics Manufacturing and Application Center' to support amputees.
At the panel opening the center, Dr. Nurgül Dürüstkan Elbaşı of the Faculty of Health Sciences emphasized the importance of sustainability and contribution to society, stating that prosthetics should be replaced every 2 years in adults and every 6 months in children.
Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Yasemin Buran Çırak, noted the importance of remembering earthquake victims who have experienced mental, social, and physical trauma and emphasized the value of the work at the Prosthetics and Orthotics Manufacturing and Application Center. Buran Çırak, stated that amputees can regain their self-confidence with the acceptance and support of society. He added that the workshop held after the opening of the center aims at awareness.
“SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IS THE CONSCIENCE OF A SOCIETY”
Speaking at the panel, Rector Prof. Dr. Erkan İbiş emphasized that the Center works for individuals who have had their limbs amputated after the earthquake, saying, 'Social responsibility is the conscience of a society.' Stating that Istinye University immediately started aid campaigns after the disaster, İbiş said the University took the process further by establishing the Prosthetics and Orthotics Manufacturing and Application Center with the MLP Care group.
Prof. Dr. İbiş emphasized the Center will provide support not only to earthquake victims but also to amputee veterans and citizens who have experienced limb loss. He also stated that projects, research, and patents will be developed, reaching hundreds of people.
During the presentation at the panel, Assoc. Prof. Ahmet Salduz, from the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology at Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine, provided important information about the surgical processes of amputation before the opening of the Prosthetics and Orthotics Manufacturing and Application Center.
Prof. Dr. Habibe Serap İnal, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Galata University, provided information about the rehabilitation of amputees and shared the latest developments in prosthetics and orthotics studies.
COLLECTIVE SOLUTIONS FOR BARRIER-FREE LIFE
Ercan Tutal, President of the Alternative Life Association (AYDER), spoke at the panel to share the organization’s volunteer programs and the collective solutions it has developed for barrier-free living. Tutal mentioned that earthquake victims have limited access to prosthetics and many are forced to use prosthetics that are not suitable for them. He stated that through the new center, many amputees will be able to find solutions to their needs.
