24-27 April 2019, Istanbul, Turkey

Anatolia is the Cradle of Civilizations witnessing the history of humanity. The Anatolian Medicine descending from the centuries before and globally recognized today is a very precious source of current traditional and complementary medicine practices. The traditional and complementary medicine practices, which attract considerable attention again, draw upon belief, faith and social experiences, and have a kind of historical deepness. Ensuring access to the traditional and complementary medicine practices by different segments of the society, evidence-based integration of such practices in the health system and standardization of the practitioners and practices are critically important. World Health Organization encourages the countries, by means of Traditional Medicine Strategies 2014-2023, to make regulations in this area and empower the modern health systems with traditional and complementary medicine practices.

Predicated on the legislation of the Republic of Turkey, and the duties and authorities thereunder, the Ministry of Health has prepared and enacted a strategic plan for evidence-based integration of the traditional and complementary medicine in the health system. For this purpose, legislative preparations were completed within two years, and as a result, “Regulation on Traditional and Complementary Medicine Practices” was published to lay the legal infrastructure. Traditional and Complementary Medicine Practice Centers offer services in around 20 universities (R&D and Training), about 500 Traditional and Complementary Medicine Practice Units were opened, and a total of 5000 certificates were awarded in the field of 14 certified practices.

Besides the foregoing, our activities are ongoing before other public institutions and non-governmental organizations in order to develop international cooperation. We have concluded important meetings with many countries throughout the preparations for congress which will bring together health representatives from around thirty countries. A highly representative congress with strong infrastructure is targeted to share new developments in the field of traditional and complementary medicine practices in different parts of the world.

Besides the foregoing, our activities are ongoing before other public institutions and non-governmental organizations in order to develop international cooperation. In this regard, the 2nd International Traditional and Complementary Medicine Congress (GETAT) and Expo will be held in Istanbul on 24-27 April 2019 with the theme of “Traditional and Complementary Medicine Practices in Chronic Diseases” (The 1st Congress was organized on 19-22 April 2018 with a general theme). The four-day organization which will attract high-level national and international participation will include speakers, papers, posters, working groups and awards with a special focus on traditional and complementary medicine practices in chronic diseases.

Within the scope of and concurrently with the congress-related activities, there will be organized Traditional and Complementary Medicine Expo open to public. The expo aims to increase awareness of the public about traditional and complementary medicine practices through the boots of public institutions and also non-governmental organizations. Furthermore, domestic and foreign commercial enterprises will engage in promotion and information activities at the expo site. We believe that the expo site will be highly enjoyable with the expected participations from a lot of countries.

We are looking forward to your participation in the 2nd International Traditional and Complementary Medicine Congress and Expo that we proudly organize in cooperation with the World Health Organization, under the auspices of the Presidency and honorary chair of the Mrs. First Lady.

Please visit the congress’ web site: http://getatkongre.org/