2009 - FIP Istanbul: Day 7: Mon 7 Sep

It was a very early start for everyone. The bus left the Officers’ Club very close to the advertised time of 6am bound for the military side of Atatürk Airport. We were off to Ankara for the day! We arrived at the airport and had the obligatory photos taken in-front of the aircraft, and were on board, safely strapped in and taking off by 7:20am. And, what a take-off it was; taxi to one end of the runway, apply the brakes at the same time as stepping on the gas, and then, when the aircraft is at breaking point, release the brake, and off we go!! Amazing, but it had the desired effect: that of flight. After about an hour of some spectacular views, we landed in Ankara.

On our way to Ankara

Our first stop was Atatürk’s Mausoleum, otherwise known as Anitkabir. We walked up the Lion Road (approximately 262m long, to ensure visitors are ready for the presence of Ataturk) to the Mausoleum into the Hall of Honour, where salutes were taken, and a wreath laid. We were then treated to a guided tour of Atatürk and the War of Independence Museum; what a magnificent tribute. It consists of four major sections:

Section 1. The personal belongings of Atatürk are exhibited here. Amongst these are a number of his walking sticks. Now, Atatürk did not have a disability, however, use of a walking stick symbolised status; so, he had plenty, all adorned with his initials, as were all his belongings, including his pyjamas.

Section 2. This section displays the Çanakkale (Gallipoli) Battles and the War of Independence by using dioramas and oil paintings.

Section 3. The national struggle and subsequent reforms are presented here in separate galleries.

Section 4. This is where the private library books of Atatürk are displayed.

Atatürk's Mausoleum, aka Anitkabir

Lion Road

Gallipoli Dioramas

All the clocks in the Museum are set to 0905. This is because this was the exact time that Atatürk died on 10 Nov 1938. He was 57 years old and died of cirrhosis of the liver. For general information, should you ever be asked, Atatürk was 171 cm tall, weighed 68 Kg and wore size 42 shoes. He was married for two and a half years however had no biological children. After his divorce he adopted 8 children, only one of whom is still alive today.

Our second stop of the day was at the Gülhane Military Medical Academy (GMMA) Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences which is part of the Institute of Health Sciences. The GMMA has 1,600 patient beds, can undertake 28 operations simultaneously, has 200 ICU beds, and does heart, kidney, liver and bone marrow transplants. The Academy is staffed by 3,000 personnel who attend to 5,000 outpatients per day; these outpatients include civilians and foreign VIPs from all over the world.

The Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (DPS) is organised into the Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and the Department of Pharmaceutical Toxicology. The Mission of the DPS is to provide educational, research, analysis and manufacturing services.

As we were exiting the building, our names were called, and we were presented with a document wallet containing information pertinent to our military visit and also a heap of tourist information which was very handy for the post conference tour. We were also presented with a further reminder of our visit – a beautiful plate with silver bottom, contained in a wooden case, complete with printed plaque. A unique gift, to act as a permanent reminder of our incredibly generous hosts.

It was back onto the bus and off to the Officers’ Club for a hearty lunch, for everyone was most thankful; we had only breakfasted on a small cake and juice on the trip to Ankara. Lunch was a three-course affair complete with beer and ending with the most wickedly delicious dessert.

Gülhane Military Medical Academy (GMMA) Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Lunch setting

Magda and Wendy

Peter, Bill, Kjell, Ulf

Ulf, Guido, Magda, Annie

Washington, Régis, Pat, Tom and Richard G's head

After lunch, it was off to the Ministry of Defence Military Pharmaceutical Production Plant. The short bus ride gave us all a chance to take a short nap to digest the sumptuous lunch to enable further activity. On arrival at the Plant, we had to climb several flights of stairs – well we had to burn off those lunch calories somehow. However, no sooner had we burned those off, then there were more to be consumed – my goodness, these Turks know how to eat!! So, whilst we tucked into afternoon tea of Turkish culinary delights and cold drinks, we listened to a presentation about the Plant – what it does, what it makes, etc.

The Plant was established by the Turkish Army in the Crimean War (1853-56). It is still in operation today with production of drugs, NBC, war time material and wound dressing materials in facilities built in 1964 and refurbished recently to modernise the equipment. Items produced include tablets and capsules, injectables, bandages, solutions, powders, blister and other packaging; with production overseen by the Quality Control and Research and Development Department. The Plant also complies with the code for Good Manufacturing Practice. Further gifts were presented on leaving the Plant – a gift bag which included a base-ball cap, key rings and information booklets.

Afternoon tea

Another short bus ride, and we were at the TAF Rehabilitation and Health Care Centre, the construction of which started in 1996, and opened on 21 Apr 00. The Centre occupies an area of 328,000 sqm and cost USD105M to build.

The Centre has two aims: to provide a modern rehabilitation service for veterans who are disabled or have lost an organ/limb whilst on active duty; and to provide lifelong care for these disabled persons.

The TAF Rehabilitation and Health Care Centre consists of a 200 bed spinal cord (bone marrow) and orthopaedic rehabilitation hospital; a 50 bed permanent nursing home; a 50 bed guest house for patients; divisions for occupational and vocational rehabilitation; facilities for social services, e.g. a nursery, separate hotel, personnel residences and shopping centre; indoor and outdoor sports and recreation areas, a greenhouse, lake, botanical garden, and ceremonial area; and of course the command and administrative areas.

Just to give you a further indication of the size of this Centre, the Rehabilitation Team consists of the following: physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists (Team Leaders); consultant specialists; occupational therapists; physiotherapists; speech therapists; recreational specialists and therapists; prosthetists and orthotists; vocational guides; physical treatment technicians; dieticians; psychologists; social workers; and rehabilitation nurses.

And then the departments of the Centre are many, but they all work together to ensure the best outcome for the patient: rehabilitation department (neurological and orthopaedic rehabilitation clinics, and a surgical intervention section); guidance and counselling department; diagnosis and treatment (neurophysiology and biofeedback unit, locomotor system test unit, exercise section, hydrotherapy section, orthopaedic and neurologic treatment pools, electrotherapy, speech therapy, paediatrics rehabilitation, occupational therapy and professional rehabilitation section); orthotic and prosthetic department; sports fields and recreational department; laboratory department (microbiology, biochemistry, radiology, urology section); dental department; supply department and drug store; canteen, hairdresser and barber shop, cafeteria; and of course, the parking lots.

I guess the two things that stood out for me were the digital radiography/radiology. All x-rays taken in the Centre are forwarded from doctor to doctor/other specialist via the computer network. In Australia, we are only just now, starting to think about the introduction of digital radiography into our Defence Force. However, the most positive experience of the tour was hearing that patients with good results in rehabilitation are directed to professional courses, such as woodworking, painting, embroidery, jewellery making etc. This was the last stop of the tour and many of us bought some of the items made by the patients.

After the quick purchases, it was back onto the trusty bus to get back to the airport to make it back to Istanbul for the MEPS Formal Dinner. I must say the flight back to Istanbul was more eventful; storms had developed so we had to fly around them and landing in a heavy wind was exciting to say the least. When one can see the landing zone coming to meet one through the cockpit window, hmm… what can one do, but hold on very tight! Anyway, we all made it back safely, due to the skilful pilot and crew – thank you.

On the plane back to Istanbul

The MEPS Formal Dinner was held in the Kalendar Officers’ Club, in Service Dress for those military personnel. I have never attended a formal dinner in my Service Dress, normally my Mess Dress, so was a bit uncomfortable in the restrictive jacket. However, once inside the Club, with the fantastic view over the Bosphorous and lights of Istanbul, the company of fellow MEPS members and the generous and gracious hosts, all restrictiveness was forgotten, and another good evening was had by all.

After another three-course meal (our second for the day), it was back on the green military bus, back to the Harbiye Officers’ Club, for a well-earned sleep, ready for the presentations the next day.