Dr. Bülent Kamiloğlu: “Healthcare comes first — Health has no religion or language”
Amid growing debate over calls to ban the Turkish language and Islamic headscarves at Gümülcine State Hospital, senior physician Bülent Kamiloğlu stressed that the primary mission of healthcare professionals is to provide equal medical treatment to all patients regardless of religion, language, or ethnic background.
The discussion began after members of the Spartakos List in the Gümülcine Municipal Council sent a letter to hospital director Eleni Rofaela requesting restrictions on the use of Turkish by medical staff and the wearing of headscarves in the hospital.
“Our Priority Is Patient Care”
Kamiloğlu, who serves as Head of the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Management at Gümülcine State Hospital and is also a municipal council member in Gümülcine, said he has been working at the hospital for nearly 30 years.
He emphasized that doctors, nurses, and healthcare staff share a single goal: delivering the best possible care to patients.
“Healthcare services are provided equally to all patients without discrimination based on religion, language, or origin,” Kamiloğlu said.
Official Language and Patient Communication
Kamiloğlu noted that Greek is the official language of the state and the hospital’s administrative procedures.
However, he explained that Turkish may occasionally be used in communication with patients who do not speak Greek fluently in order to ensure accurate diagnosis and effective medical care.
“In such cases, Turkish is used only to obtain correct medical history from the patient and to clearly convey medical instructions,” he said.
Personal Beliefs and Professional Standards
Addressing debates over religious clothing and dietary preferences, Kamiloğlu said these issues are related to personal beliefs and individual choices.
In a hospital environment, he stressed, the main priorities remain hygiene standards, medical ethics, and the needs of patients.
“Health Has No Religion or Language”
Kamiloğlu also highlighted the long-standing tradition of coexistence in Western Thrace, where Christian and Muslim communities have lived together peacefully for decades.
He said this spirit of coexistence naturally extends to the hospital workplace, where staff members collaborate closely regardless of background.
Statements that create suspicion or tension in society, he added, do not contribute to social harmony.
“Health has no religion or language. Its only purpose is to care for human beings,” Kamiloğlu said. “At Gümülcine Hospital we have learned to work together, and we will continue to do so.”
The remarks come as the controversy surrounding the Spartakos proposal continues to spark debate over minority rights, language use, and religious expression in Western Thrace.
