President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said, “The state has been taking all necessary measures and we have mobilized all our means against this pandemic that threatens the health of our nation,” in his letter sent within the packages distributed to citizens aged 65 and over in line with the measures against coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
Erdoğan's letter addressed to citizens was also included in the package of hygiene kits prepared under the coordination of the Ministry of Industry and Technology for free distribution to citizens over 65 years of age in line with the measures against Covid-19 pandemic.
In his letter, Erdoğan noted that they were in a national fight against the coronavirus, which had become a global pandemic, that all necessary measures had been taken by the state, and that all means had been mobilized against this pandemic that threatened the health of the nation, stating the following:
“Turkey is one of the most prepared countries for the coronavirus pandemic thanks to the changes and transformations in the main service areas in the last 18 years. Today, Turkey is an exemplary country that has put the world's most powerful universal health insurance system into practice and has built the most modern hospitals in the world. Besides, we have a vast army of healthcare professionals including 490 thousand healthcare personnel, 165 thousand of whom are doctors and 205 thousand are nurses, as well as 360 thousand support staff. From a social state perspective, all of our related units, in particular our healthcare, safety, and social aid organizations, continue their works with a full sense of mobilization.”
Underlining that the greatest responsibility fell on the citizens in addition to the measures taken, President Erdoğan said:
“We should pay attention to the warnings of our institutions, and we should fulfil our responsibilities. It is well known that this disease can lead to fatal consequences especially for older people and people with chronic illnesses. Therefore, as required by our belief, we pay special attention to our citizens in the high-risk group with a humanitarian responsibility. We imposed restrictions for our citizens in the high-risk group to go out into the streets as part of coronavirus measures. I kindly request you to stay at your homes and not to go out at all until this pandemic threat disappears. This is the most effective way to protect you from this pandemic.”
“Citizens without close relatives will not have a hard time”
President Erdoğan stated that citizens who were in the high-risk group and who do not have a relative to meet their needs will not have a hard time at all in this period.
Erdoğan underlined that the Vefa Social Support Group, established under the chairmanship of the governors and district governors, was ready to meet all the needs when the citizens called 112, 155 and 156 hotlines, and wrote the following in his letter:
“In addition to all these measures, we are giving you protective masks and cologne as gifts in line with the advice of the Scientific Board. Rest assured that no virus or no outbreak is stronger than Turkey. As the heirs of a civilization with the understanding ‘Let people live so that the state lives’, our priority is the well-being of each citizen. I do not doubt that we will come out of this troubled period by strengthening our unity and solidarity as we have done with every predicament. With these feelings and thoughts, I would like to offer you my love and respect, and wish that God will bless you with a life of health and wellness.”