The Turkish Leprosy Relief Association was founded in 1976 by Türkan Saylan, marking the beginning of a decades-long effort to combat the disease through both clinical intervention and community support. Her medical career, which spanned various roles at Istanbul University, integrated dermatology research with persistent public health activism throughout the nation.
Clinical Expertise and Academic Advancement
Born in Istanbul in 1935, Saylan pursued a career in medicine despite enduring a severe case of spinal tuberculosis during her university years. She graduated from the Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine in 1963 and completed her dermatology and venereology specialization at SSK Nişantaşı Hospital. Her academic trajectory saw her rise from a chief assistant in 1968 to a full professor by 1977. She eventually chaired the Department of Dermatology at Istanbul University from 1982 to 1987, contributing significantly to dermatopathology and the study of Behçet's disease.
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Saylan directed the Leprosy Research and Application Center at Istanbul University between 1981 and 2001. Simultaneously, she served for 21 years as the voluntary chief physician at the Istanbul Leprosy Hospital. Recognizing that medication alone could not overcome social stigma, she implemented a holistic strategy that included the provision of protective footwear and eyewear alongside economic rehabilitation programs. Her influence extended internationally, serving as a consultant to the World Health Organization until 2006 and receiving the International Gandhi Award in 1986.
Educational Advocacy and Social Impact
In 1989, Saylan co-founded the Association for the Support of Contemporary Living (ÇYDD). This organization prioritized removing barriers to education for girls from low-income families and students in economically disadvantaged regions. By 2007, the initiative had facilitated secondary education for approximately 25,000 girls and distributed scholarships to roughly 20,000 university students. Saylan continued her tenure as president of the association until her death in 2009 in Istanbul.
Fast facts
- Born: 13 December 1935, Istanbul
- Died: 18 May 2009, Istanbul
- Education: Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine
- Primary Occupation: Physician, Dermatologist
- Key Organization: Association for the Support of Contemporary Living
- International Recognition: International Gandhi Award, 1986
- Burial Site: Zincirlikuyu Cemetery
Questions readers ask
What was the core principle of Saylan's leprosy program?
She emphasized a holistic approach that combined medical treatment with social and economic rehabilitation to address poverty and social exclusion.
How many students did the ÇYDD support by 2007?
The organization helped approximately 25,000 girls continue to secondary education and provided scholarships to approximately 20,000 university students.
Achievements
- Held posts at Istanbul University
