Collaboration Protocol for Health Tourism from ATO

The Ankara Chamber of Commerce (ATO) has signed a protocol with the Turkey Organ Transplant Foundation (TONV) and the Health Diplomacy Association (SDD) to increase the competitiveness of the capital's health sector, enhance its recognition in the international market, and promote the development of health tourism.

Through the protocol signed between ATO, TONV, and SDD, the health potential of the capital will be promoted under the brand name "Health Ankara" in countries including Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mongolia, Uganda, Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Tanzania.

Gürsel Baran, the Chairman of ATO's Board of Directors, along with TONV President Dr. Eyüp Kahveci and SDD President Dr. Ahmet Aksu, signed the cooperation protocol aimed at promoting Ankara's health services, medical technology, and healthcare investment capabilities internationally, during a program held at ATO.

Speaking at the signing ceremony at ATO, Chairman Baran stated that under the scope of the "Ankara Congress and Visitor Bureau" established by Ankara Chamber of Commerce for the promotion of Ankara, they have created the "Health Ankara" brand for promoting the health potential, with coordination overseen by ATO Board Member Dr. Ömer Çağlar Yılmaz, who is also a physician. Baran emphasized their commitment to promoting Ankara's medical production and healthcare services capacity through the "Health Ankara" brand, expressing their intention to continue collaboration with TONV and SDD to introduce the brand globally.

Chairman Baran expressed great pleasure in collaborating with two separate non-governmental organizations operating in the health sector towards the same goal, stating, "We will promote Ankara in the world of healthcare united as one." He also highlighted Ankara's significance in medical device and equipment manufacturing, indicating that the collaboration would contribute to increasing the capital's exports in the medical sector.

Dr. Eyüp Kahveci, President of TONV, mentioned in his speech that since 2015, they have been operating as a platform in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade, universities, and specialty associations in the field of health tourism, emphasizing the importance of capacity building, human resource development, and technical assistance in target countries.

Dr. Ahmet Aksu, President of SDD, underscored the aim of health diplomacy to strengthen Turkey's perception internationally, stating that the collaboration would contribute to the growth of the health tourism market.

Dr. Ömer Çağlar Yılmaz, Coordinator of "Health Ankara" and ATO Board Member, expressed their intention to promote Ankara's healthcare services, medical sector production, and related businesses, mentioning ongoing efforts to establish a website named "Health Ankara."

The signing ceremony was attended by Gamze Yıldırım, Board Member of the Turkey Organ Transplant Foundation, and Süreyya Ümran Alınak, President of the International Health Tourism Association.

Under the protocol, joint efforts will be made to strengthen Ankara's competitive advantages in the health sector, promote the capital's health services, medical technology, and healthcare investment capabilities, as well as identify investment opportunities and encourage investments both in Ankara and abroad.