Memişoğlu held a joint press conference at the Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi Hall in the blue area with the participation of World Health Organization (WHO) Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus within the scope of the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the United Nations (UN) Framework Convention on Climate Change, hosted by Turkey, in Antalya.
Explaining that the famous Turkish physician Ibn Sina described the purpose of medicine as "protecting health and regaining it when lost", Memişoğlu said that they carry the responsibility that this deep-rooted knowledge reminds them of to the future with the scientific knowledge of the age.
"Water is precious in our civilization. Waste means not appreciating the blessing. Trust is a responsibility that must be protected. With this understanding, we consider protecting water, defending clean air and taking action for the climate as part of our duty to keep people alive." Memişoğlu said, adding that this is what they mean when they say "Healthy Person, Healthy Planet".
Pointing out that their duty at COP31 is to transform scientific knowledge into applicable decisions and decisions into results felt in people's lives, Memişoğlu emphasized that it is necessary to carry forward the strengthened health agenda in previous conferences and the knowledge put forward with the Belem Health Action Plan.
Memişoğlu pointed out that in order for health to be at the center of climate policies, it is necessary to work together in the fields of environment, energy, agriculture, transportation, urbanization and health, and said:
"Turkey treats the fight against climate change as a state policy with its long-term goals, national strategies and inter-institutional studies. The 2053 net zero emission target put forward by our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is the main direction of this approach. We carry this target to the responsibilities and practices of the sectors with our national reduction and adaptation action plans. The Zero Waste Movement, which started under the leadership of the esteemed First Lady Emine Erdoğan, is an international response that brings the responsibility of protecting resources into daily life. "As the Ministry of Health, we systematically addressed the effects of climate on health with the national program we published in 2015. Now, we are developing this knowledge with the 2026-2030 Climate Change and Health Action Plan we have prepared."
"Let common knowledge be transformed into practices appropriate to local needs"
Stating that protecting people before the disease occurs is at the center of the "Protecting, Developing and Producing Health" approach, Memişoğlu said, "We continue our monitoring studies for safe water by taking approximately 175 thousand samples from drinking water every year. With the Health Action Plan we have prepared against extreme heat, we aim to turn meteorological warnings into preventive health measures at the local level. We are developing our digital infrastructure where we evaluate air quality, meteorology and health data together." he said.
Memişoğlu said that they aim to see in time where the danger is growing, who it may affect more, and to take action.
Underlining that they built the "Dynamic and Resilient Health Systems" approach on this understanding, Memişoğlu concluded his words as follows:
"A dynamic health system detects the changing danger early, learns it and updates its measures. At the same time, we work to reduce the environmental impacts of our health facilities. We popularize the green hospital approach that uses energy and water efficiently, reduces waste and strengthens service continuity. We aim to transform the knowledge and experience of countries into a permanent cooperation with the Antalya Resilient Health Systems Initiative that we propose within the scope of COP31. We want a successful solution developed in one country to save lives in another country. Every country takes time again to solve the same problem. "Let common knowledge be transformed into practices appropriate to local needs. When we leave Antalya, we must leave behind a strong will, cooperation and followable steps. The legacy we will leave behind for our children should be water they can drink, clean air they can breathe and a world in which they can live safely."
WHO Director General Ghebreyesus
WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also thanked Minister of Health Memişoğlu for the Antalya Resilient Health Systems Initiative proposal.
Ghebreyesus pointed out that although climate change is still a very distant threat for many people, its impact on the atmosphere, poles and sea levels is obvious.
Pointing out that climate change already causes diseases, disrupts services and puts healthcare workers at risk, Ghebreyesus said, "The effects of climate change are no longer theoretical risks that will occur in the future, but threats that will be experienced here and now." he said.
Ghebreyesus stated that healthcare systems should be ready before this blow hits, and that facilities should be resistant to situations such as high temperatures, drought and storms, and healthcare workers should be equipped.
Ghebreyesus stated that areas such as energy, transportation, food, water, housing and urban planning also shape health and therefore the plans should include these issues, and emphasized that countries should now move from plans to implementation.
Ghebreyesus pointed out that climate action is not just a cost, and stated that it is also an investment in healthier people, more resilient societies and economies.
Stating that the "Antalya Resilient Health Systems Initiative" is an important solution proposal, Ghebreyesus explained that this initiative is progressing in coordination with WHO's work on climate and health.
Ghebreyesus emphasized that this initiative is a channel for its implementation and will pave the way for future COPs.
