Local Government Experiences in Disasters and Disaster Pharmacy Panel Held

A panel on Local Government Experiences in Disasters and Disaster Pharmacy was held by our University's Faculty of Pharmacy. Tokat Mayor Av Eyüp EROĞLU, our Rector Prof Dr Fatih YILMAZ, our vice-rectors Prof Dr Mücahit EĞRİ and Prof Dr Rasim KOÇYİĞİT, our deans, directors, department heads, academic and administrative staff and students attended the panel held at the 15 July Congress and Culture Center Martyrs Hall.

Our Rector Prof. Dr. Fatih YILMAZ, who made the opening speech, expressed his condolences to the citizens who lost their lives after the earthquake in Kahramanmaraş, to their loved ones and to our entire Nation. Touching on the role of local governments before and after disasters, our Rector stated that this role is one of the most studied topics in the scientific disaster literature. Stating that timely and sufficient drug supply is of critical importance for the rapid recovery and healing of the society in times of disaster, our Rector stated that in this sense, disaster and emergency pharmacy comes into play with all its expertise and experience. Rector Prof. Dr. Fatih YILMAZ ended his speech by expressing his gratitude to our Governor, Mayor, moderator and panelist professors for their contributions.

After the speeches of our Rector, the panel started. In the panel moderated by the Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy Prof Dr Bilge Hilal ÇADIRCI, Tokat Mayor Av Eyüp EROĞLU, Disaster and Emergency Pharmacy Association Founder Prof Dr Göknur YALIM AKTAY, Erciyes University Faculty of Pharmacy Dean Prof Dr M Betül AYCAN YERER and Tokat Chamber of Pharmacists President Pharmacist Hakan YILMAZER. took part as a panelist.

Mayor Av Eyüp EROĞLU talked about the role of local governments in disasters in his speech. Touching on what needs to be done before, during and after the earthquake, our Mayor also included the services provided in Gölbaşı district of Adıyaman. Prof. Dr. Göknur YALIM AKTAY defined disaster and emergency and made detailed explanations about the importance of pharmacy in disasters. Prof Dr M Betül AYCAN YERER focused on the educational aspect of disaster pharmacy and included examples from around the world. AYCAN YERER also suggested adding courses related to the subject to the curriculum. Pharmacist Hakan YILMAZER shared with the audience the activities they carried out as the Tokat Chamber of Pharmacists during the earthquake that occurred in Kahramanmaraş on February 6 and said that they established a field pharmacy in Malatya. YILMAZER concluded his speech by touching on his experiences in Malatya.

At the end of the panel, gifts and certificates of appreciation were presented to the moderators and panelists by our Rector Prof. Dr. Fatih YILMAZ.