Experts delivered important messages regarding occupational diseases at the “Occupational Diseases: A Holistic Approach from Risk to Rehabilitation Symposium”, carried out by Near East University and the Turkish Cypriot Physiotherapists Association.
Every occupational group in the working world has its own unique health risks. Different working conditions, from office environments to production areas, can directly affect the physical and mental health of employees. The “Occupational Diseases: A Holistic Approach from Risk to Rehabilitation Symposium”, organized in collaboration between Near East University, which is among the top 500 universities in the world, and the Turkish Cypriot Physiotherapists Association, brought together experts in the field and participants under one roof.
The event, held with high participation at the İrfan Günsel Congress Center, comprehensively addressed the prevention of occupational diseases, early diagnosis processes, current practices, and rehabilitation approaches. The symposium, which emphasized information sharing, also evaluated solutions to health problems encountered in working life. The opening speeches were given by Prof. Dr. Adile Öniz Özgören, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Near East University, and Dr. Batuhan Dericioğlu, President of the Turkish Cypriot Physiotherapists Association.
The symposium, which attracted significant interest from participants, concluded interactively with a question-and-answer session. Certificates of participation were presented to the speakers and attendees at the end of the event. Bringing together academic knowledge and field experience, the symposium made a significant contribution to raising awareness about health protection in working life.
The health agenda of working life was discussed…
The first part of the symposium, consisting of two sessions, was titled “Risk and Intervention Approaches in Working Environments.” The session was chaired by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ceren Ersoy and Dr. Batuhan İ. Dericioğlu. In the session, Specialist Physiotherapist Caniz Tonyalı addressed the topic of “Risk in Working Environments and Simple Risk Analysis”, while Specialist Physiotherapist Sema Acaröz informed participants with her presentation titled “Occupational Diseases: Diagnosis and Clinical Findings.”
The second session of the symposium was held under the title “Legislation and Healthy Future Perspective in Occupational Health and Safety.” The session was chaired by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aytül Özdil and Physiotherapist Yelda Kıngır Soykurt. In this section, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Özkader made presentation on “Ergonomic and Psychosocial Interventions in Office and Industrial Workers”, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Erkay Özgör made a presentation on “Occupational Health and Safety Practices in Northern Cyprus: Current Legislation for Office and Industrial Workers,” and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tuba Yerlikaya spoke on “Movement in the Workplace: Active Workers, Healthy Future”, each making important assessments on their focus points.
Prof. Dr. Adile Öniz Özgören: “I believe this symposium will contribute to new collaborations, increased awareness, and our professional practices.”
In her speech, Prof. Dr. Adile Öniz Özgören, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences of Near East University, drew attention to the ever-expanding scope of responsibility in the field of physiotherapy and rehabilitation, saying, “Today, we have gathered here to assess occupational diseases and the process from risk to rehabilitation.”
Prof. Dr. Özgören emphasized that many occupational groups, from healthcare workers to office workers, from industrial workers to the service sector, face unique risks, stating, “These risks directly affect not only individual health but also public health and productivity.” She noted that healthcare professionals undertake important tasks not only in the treatment process but also in developing preventive approaches, early diagnosis, and effective rehabilitation strategies, adding, “I believe this symposium will lead to new collaborations, increased awareness, and significant outcomes that will contribute to our professional practices.”
Dr. Batuhan Dericioğlu: “Prevention is far less costly and far more valuable than treatment.”
Dr. Batuhan Dericioğlu, President of the Turkish Cypriot Physiotherapists Association, emphasized the importance of a holistic approach ranging from risk assessment to rehabilitation, highlighting the significant steps physiotherapists are taking to strengthen preventive healthcare services. He stated that they are working to implement in the TRNC the regulation recently legalized in Turkey, which allows physiotherapists to be employed in primary healthcare services, adding that this development is a great gain for the profession.
Dr. Dericioğlu stated that physiotherapists play a critical role in reducing risk factors and preventing potential illnesses and functional losses by directly consulting a physiotherapist, and that this symposium, with its scientific content, will once again demonstrate this importance.
Dr. Dericioğlu stated that they are working to implement in the TRNC the regulation that recently gained legal basis in Turkey, enabling the employment of physiotherapists in primary healthcare services, and expressed that this development is a great gain for the profession.
Dr. Dericioğlu stated that physiotherapists play a critical role in reducing risk factors and preventing potential illnesses and functional losses by enabling individuals to directly consult a physiotherapist, and said that this symposium will once again highlight this importance with its scientific content. He also mentioned the European Union project conducted by the Cyprus Turkish Physiotherapists Association, stating that it aims to conduct risk analyses in office and factory workers, prevent injuries, and protect worker health through application-supported designs. Dr. Dericioğlu stated that thanks to these studies, it will be possible to protect individuals from diseases and prevent loss of workforce, adding, “Prevention is much less costly and much more valuable than treatment.” Dericioğlu concluded his speech by thanking those who contributed to this valuable organization.
