Emine Erdoğan participated in OIC Member African Countries' Awareness Raising and Support Program against Cancer in Nigeria

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's wife Emine Erdoğan attended the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Member African Countries' Anti-Cancer Awareness Raising and Support Program held in Nigeria's capital Abuja as the guest of honor.

Addressing the participants at the program, Emine Erdoğan started her speech by conveying the sincerest love of the Turkish people and stated that Africa's natural beauties, cultural diversity and the sincere hospitality she encountered in every country deeply affected her every time she visited.

Expressing her pleasure to be together with country representatives from different corners of the world for the program, Emine Erdoğan said, "Eight years have passed since the first session we organized in Turkey on the margins of the 13th Islamic Summit and the 'Istanbul Declaration' we published. The seminars held in 2018 in Burkina Faso and now in Nigeria show that the seeds we planted years ago have sprouted."

Emine Erdoğan also wished the event to be a blessing and to build bridges of knowledge and healing between the countries.

"TODAY, ONE OUT OF EVERY SIX DEATHS GLOBALLY IS CAUSED BY CANCER"

Stating that the World Health Organization predicts that nearly 30 million people will develop cancer in the next 15 years and more than half of them will lose their lives, Emine Erdoğan said, "Today, one out of every six deaths globally is caused by cancer."

Pointing out that 90 percent of cancer cases are caused by environmental factors, Emine Erdoğan said that the changing chemistry of the environment that causes the disease should be discussed before the disease itself.

Emine Erdoğan said, "Today, cancer-related deaths in Africa cause more deaths than infectious diseases such as AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria combined. In the face of this picture, I ask on behalf of all my African brothers and sisters; why have cancer cases, which were very rare in the continent before, increased so much? The answer is so simple as to frighten us all, the local lifestyle and dietary habits that protect the African have been lost along with the state of health."

Pointing out that the consumption culture instilled by the age is turning its back on ancient life teachings that have been passed down from generation to generation for thousands of years, Emine Erdoğan reminded that in the past, a lifestyle that put healing at the center of life prevailed in Asia, Anatolia and Africa.

Stating that traditional teachings emphasize the connection between health and natural life and that Islam commands halal and clean food, Emine Erdoğan said: "What is stopping us from fighting against the chemicals that invade our homes and tables? Moreover, this toxic transformation in the food sector now starts from the soil, from the seeds that are planted. Global food systems impose artificial products that may be carcinogenic, claiming that we need GMOs to feed the growing population. However, we all know that global hunger can be prevented with only one third of the products wasted from the field to the table. I believe that we will leave a livable world free from preventable diseases to future generations as long as we make the natural and halal dominant on earth and break down the artificial walls we have built between us and nature."

"THANKS TO OUR HEALTH ARMY, WE ARE GETTING ENCOURAGING RESULTS"

Referring to Turkey's anti-cancer policies, Emine Erdoğan said, "We started this fight by strengthening our health infrastructure to be accessible to everyone so that none of our citizens feel helpless."

Emphasizing that Turkey has come of age in the healthcare system with city hospitals where each patient is allocated a room, family physicians in every neighborhood, and free access to internationally recognized diagnoses and treatments, Emine Erdoğan said, "We are getting results that make us smile thanks to our healthcare army who wholeheartedly believe in the sanctity of human life and approach patients with love, respect and compassion."

"WE ENCOURAGE COMPOSTING FROM ORGANIC WASTE AND AIM TO PROTECT OUR SOIL AND BODY FROM CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS"

Stating that they are trying to replace the chemical order, which is the cause of many chronic diseases, especially cancer, with the natural one, Emine Erdoğan continued as follows: "With the 'Our Heritage Ancestral Seed Project' launched under my patronage, we record local species in our country, preserve them in high-tech genebanks, and deliver them to our citizens by introducing them to the soil and multiplying them. Within the scope of the Zero Waste Project, which was also launched under my patronage, we encourage composting from organic waste and aim to protect our soil and body from chemical fertilizers. Within the United Nations Zero Waste Advisory Board, which I chair, we are researching good zero waste practices around the world and working to popularize them. In this process, Turkey continues to share its knowledge and experience, as well as being the most generous country in the world compared to its national income and solidarity."

"I BELIEVE THAT THE PATH TO FULL INDEPENDENCE LIES IN RAISING YOUNG PEOPLE WITH A CLEAR MIND, HEALTHY BODY AND GOOD EDUCATION"

Emine Erdoğan stated that they also attach importance to activities that will save the youth from all kinds of addictions by reducing obesity and increasing physical activities.

In 2009, Turkey added electronic cigarettes to the ban on smoking in enclosed spaces and today has a smoke-free airspace. Emphasizing that Turkey has a smoke-free airspace, Emine Erdoğan said, "I believe that the path to full independence lies in raising young people with clear minds, healthy bodies, patriotic, compassionate and well-educated. For this reason, I see our Green Crescent community, which fights against all kinds of addictions with its activities in Turkey and abroad, as freedom fighters and I support them with all my heart."

"THE COUNTRIES OF THE CONTINENT SHOULD HAVE ACCESS TO THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES THAT THE REST OF THE WORLD HAS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CANCER"

Explaining that 70 percent of cancer-related deaths occur in underdeveloped countries with limited opportunities, Emine Erdoğan said, "We see that African countries are disproportionately affected by the consequences of a global problem, even though they have no share in its occurrence. The continent's countries should have access to the same opportunities that the rest of the world has in the fight against cancer, diagnosis, follow-up and treatment. I believe that the Organization of Islamic Cooperation should assume responsibility in this regard as much as, if not more than, international organizations, as a necessity of neighborliness, brotherhood and ummah consciousness."

Sharing her belief that they have a historical mission to put the wisdom prescriptions of the Prophet Muhammad into the service of humanity, Emine Erdoğan said: "I wholeheartedly believe that when we re-adopt the holistic health approach of the Prophet, we will find the healing we have lost. In Turkey, we are working to integrate the ancient medical wisdom with the diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities of the West. We are translating the rare manuscript medical works in our archives and bringing them into today's literature in order to transfer the experience of centuries to the present day. I believe that as the Turkish corpus and the treasures of Anatolia, where a total of 12 thousand plant species, 3 thousand of which are endemic, are added to the recipes with evidence-based methods, our civilization will become a healing land again. "

"I WISH FOR A PROSPEROUS WORLD WHERE EVERY HUMAN BEING CAN LIVE IN PEACE"

Emphasizing that they are open to sharing this knowledge, and to all kinds of cooperation and support, Emine Erdoğan said, "Before concluding my remarks, I would like to express that the racist and Zionist understanding that imposes genocide on the Palestinian people is a cancer of humanity. I condemn the occupation, which has been increasing its violence and killing innocent people since October 7, and I wish a prosperous world where every human being, regardless of religion, nationality and color, can live in peace."

Emine Erdoğan wished that the Summit would be beneficial for all humanity, especially Africa, and serve to build a healthy and strong ummah, and expressed her gratitude to Oluremi Tinubu, wife of Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for her global leadership and hosting.

Emine Erdoğan also thanked those who contributed to the organization, especially the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and Nigeria.

Emine Erdoğan was the only person to speak about Palestine under Israeli attacks, and her remarks were met with applause from the hall.

The program was attended by Oluremi Tinubu, wife of Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Fatima Maada Bio, wife of Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio, Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow, wife of Gambian President Adama Barrow.

Before the program, Emine Erdoğan met with the leaders' wives in the hall reserved for them and exchanged views.

Minister of Health Fahrettin Koca accompanied Emine Erdoğan in the program.

Following the speeches, the leaders' spouses and other participants posed for a group photo.

16.05.2024