I had never seen him so eager to leave this country…
He had studied here, married here, started his career here, and had a child here!
The idea of “leaving” had taken shape in his mind with the birth of his child!
His precious little daughter had an unfortunate but temporary illness that could happen to any child and, thankfully, could be treated…
But the State Hospital’s indifference—as he saw it—to the illness of their one-week-old baby girl had made him lose faith in this land!
In fact, the staff at the State Hospital were treating this illness, which they encountered frequently, as they should.
But, like any new father, he was very worried about his child’s first illness…
And neither the hospital staff nor his family members’ words meant anything to him!
He wanted to leave this country…
He did not know what he would do in the future if his precious daughter were to fall ill…
“I don’t trust that hospital. I can’t take my daughter there again,” he said, adding, “We have to leave!”
And yet, thousands of people living in this country, just like me, took their children to that hospital!
In the end, other than taking every risk and going to the Greek Cypriot side, those people had no other branch to hold on to…
Ultimately, he had no reason to leave this country for that reason alone!
In fact, he had nowhere to go!
He just wanted to leave, without knowing where he was going!
He was simply worried…
And he kept saying, “I have to leave,” until I spoke to him as a Near East University graduate and someone who knows Suat Hoca well!
These were the words that stopped him from leaving: “Wait a little longer! Suat Hoca is building such a hospital that you may have to come back here from wherever you go to find treatment!”
This other branch he could trust had made him a little less inclined to leave…
He still lives in this country!
I’m glad I stopped him from leaving.
Because he is working for this country, and it is important that he “stay” here!
The announcement made by Near East University the other day, which showed just how right I was in what I told him, made me even happier.
Why?
Because when I read the announcement, I felt proud to be part of Near East University, and, as a father living in this country and raising a child, I was also happy to have another branch to hold on to.
I’m sure you’ll be happy too when you read the lines below, where I try to describe the features of the Near East University Faculty of Medicine Hospital, which will begin providing services soon…
• The Near East University Faculty of Medicine Hospital will have international healthcare accreditation!
• The Faculty of Medicine Hospital will also include inpatient services, an Emergency Department, Radiology, Nuclear Medicine, an operating suite with 8 operating rooms, an intensive care unit, and an angiography department!
• In addition, the 9-story central block will provide laboratory services, a Hemodialysis Department, a Blood Bank, treatment services with a capacity of 250 beds, a 4-story Radiotherapy, Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Unit, a Medicine Preparation and Distribution Department, a Maternity Department, and outpatient services.
Suat Hoca did not forget to send a message in his announcement to those going to the Greek Cypriot side in search of treatment, either! Here’s what Suat Hoca says: “With the opening of the NEU Faculty of Medicine Hospital, we will become self-sufficient in healthcare and will also enable the South to benefit from our healthcare services.”
Suat Hoca, who has always done what people said could not be done and taught the Turkish Cypriot people through his investments that “it can be done, we can do it,” is saying once again, “it can be done, we can do it.” Can you hear him?
Am I wrong to feel proud and to think about having another branch to hold on to?
Until Tuesday, I hope…
Pay attention to your surroundings, keep them clean, and please be considerate in traffic!