LMGlobal.Org organized and presented a virtual interview and interactive session on April 9, 2023, which titled: “DISEASE OR HEALTH? In support of the #WorldHealthDay2023 (7 April) & Celebrating 75th Anniversary of the World Health Organization (1948).
The session featured Dr. Serdar Savaş, President, Turkish Society of Public Health Genomics and Personalized Medicine; Co-Director, European Center for Public Health Genomics, Maastricht University (2010 – 2015) (Maastricht Area, Netherlands); Health 2020 Committee Member European Regional Office of the World Health Organization (2010 – 2011).
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. SERDAR SAVAŞ

VISIONS FROM THE WORLD-RENOWNED SCIENTIST AND POLITICIAN “DISEASE OR HEALTH” BY DR. SERDAR SAVAŞ

By Çiğdem YORGANCIOĞLU

Preface

Today, when we are approaching the end of conventional and old-fashioned health services because the change brought about by technological developments and the reflection of digitalization on the provision of health services is experienced very quickly, countries that do not establish a learning health system and cannot succeed in being an action-oriented information producer with data-based approaches will not be able to compete in the field of health. In addition, personalized treatment approaches will come to the fore in the health of the future.

The art and science of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health through the organized efforts of society (Acheson, 1988).

Preliminary Introduction

Public health is defined as “the art and science of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health through the organized efforts of society” (Acheson, 1988). It consists of three main domains: health protection, disease prevention, and health promotion. These are strengthened by robust public health intelligence and supported by enablers, including sustainable funding and organization, governance, workforce development, advocacy, and research WHO Regional Office for EUROPE –A public health summary report for EPHO 8 –The Case For Investing In Public Health–The strengthening public health services and Capacity – Key Pillar Of The European Regional Health Policy Framework Health 2020

According to WHO World Health Organization Non-communicable diseases (3) (NCDs) kill 41 million people each year, equivalent to 74% of all deaths globally. Besides Each year, 17 million people die from an NCD before age 70; 86% of these premature deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. Of all NCD deaths, 77% are in low- and middle-income countries. Detection, screening, and treatment of NCDs, as well as palliative care, are key components of the response to NCDs.To control NCDs, concentrate on decreasing the risk elements and causes linked with the diseases. Low-cost economical solutions exist for governments, administrations, and other stakeholders to reduce the common modifiable risk factors. Monitoring the progress and trends of NCDs and their risk is significant for guiding policy and priorities. To lessen the impact of NCDs on individuals and society, an inclusive and comprehensive approach is strongly required for all sectors, to collaborate to reduce the risks associated with NCDs, and to promote interventions to prevent and control them. Source [ref-3]: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/noncommunicable-diseases

Hypertension, stroke, epilepsy, cardiac failure, diabetes mellitus, and renal failure all are examples of Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) that are the leading cause of incapacity and death globally. Furthermore, the human and financial costs of NCDs have elevated questions of sustainability for numerous health systems. Personalized, preventive health interventions are an inventive way to discourse NCDs, nevertheless, it is problematic to measure their effectiveness using conventional standard evaluation methods. Personalized medicine has been recognized as an approach to NCDs that contrasts with population-wide campaigns or individual treatment programs. There are various demarcations for “Personalized medicine”. In his article, Dr. Savaş described it from a holistic approach to clinical practice using genomic, clinical, and lifestyle factors and including all three dimensions of care to extend life and improve its quality “Preventive personalized medicine” refers explicitly to such an approach before disease is diagnosed or even suspected. Preventive personalized medicine interventions upsurge motivation among patients and providers, provide a favorable benefit-risk ratio, and improve health outcomes. However, compared to population-level approaches, they have high initial costs and can be challenging to scale.

The 8Kmedicine model (formerly 7K Medicine model; concept, developed and proposed through Gentest by Dr. Serdar Savas, which refers to
personalized,
predictive,
preventive,
comprehensive,
precise,
evidence-based,
and participatory medicine (words that all begin with ‘K’ in Turkish).

Dr. Savaş offers a new perspective in terms of the functions of primary health care services and is defined as the health strategy of the 21st century.

The subject I have written here by drawing attention to issues and facts in the introduction is to point out the scientific meaning and importance of the following texts and the activity shown in the [unedited web-streamed] video below.

75th Anniversary of the World Health Organization – the anniversary of its foundation, April 7, was celebrated all over the world as World Health Day. Under the scope of the same connotation, Virtual Interview and Interactive Session With (former) Regional Advisor For Health Care Policies And Systems World Health Organization’s European Regional Office (Who Euro) In Copenhagen, was conducted with Dr. Savas. It was organized and presented By The Light Millennium, Charitable Global Human Advancement Organization (LMGlobal.Org, 2001, New York). The LMGlobal.Org has been associated with The United Nations Department Of Global Communications since 2005. The session titled, “Disease or Health“.

“Special Thanks to Bircan Ünver and Dr.Serdar Savas for organizing it, which provided a scientific and intra-discipliner insight into the dichotomy of “Health vs Disease .”

Predictions and insight about the perspective of a world-renowned scientist and politician on disease and health on a national and global scale in the preparation of Turkey’s national health policy can be gained by the viewer in this video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyVE2ELj0EU

Çiğdem Yorgancioglu talked about her project and her training programs aimed at “Preventing Violence Against Healthcare Professionals”, which she designed and presented at Expo Health Istanbul, at the end of the event and in the section where ideas are shared, as a contribution to the interactive session. and Dr. Savaş stated that if any support is needed in this regard, he is open to this. And replied to her contribution with these words ”Whenever you want, I would be ready” (–Youtube — 1 hour 32 min- (relevant slot). Here below you can find the compact information about his “scientific career” based on Cigdem Yorgancioglu’s research on media, and her translations. Most of the information provided by Dr. Savas explains himself and his projects.

Dr. Savas started working in 1993 at the World Health Organization’s European Regional Office (WHO EURO) in Copenhagen, as the Regional Advisor for Health Care Policies and Systems. This role put him in charge of preparing the Ljubljana Charter on Reforming Health Care in Europe.

Dr. Serdar Savaş is one of the first physicians and scientists to apply genetic information to the field of personalized preventive medicine and to be the international leader of this field. After working as the European Program Director at the World Health Organization, he returned to Turkey in 2000 and established the GENAR Institute for Community Health and Genomics Research in Hacettepe Technopolis with researchers and scientists from Hacettepe University. GENAR is the second public health genomics research center in Europe to be established after Cambridge. He was appointed to Adana Health Directorate in 1987. In 1988, he was appointed as the Minister’s Advisor at the Ministry of Health. He subsequently served as Deputy Undersecretary.

In 1993, he was brought to the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe in Copenhagen. Dr. Savas started working in 1993 at the World Health Organization’s European Regional Office (WHO EURO) in Copenhagen, as the Regional Advisor for Health Care Policies and Systems. This role put him in charge of preparing the Ljubljana Charter on Reforming Health Care in Europe.

World Health Organization Europe President Dr. Jo Eirik Asvall offered to Dr. Serdar Savaş position of European Program Director of the World Health Organization, expressing three significant prospects from him. These anticipations were (1) the formation of a new policy for the World Health Organization Europe Region, (2) the restructuring of the Organization, (3) a fundamental resolution to the growing chronic-complex disease burden of aging Europe and the financial problems generated/sourced by this situation. Based on his respond to the related question, he accepted this position and adequately met with all the three expectations. While working on the third of these, Dr. Savaş met with the Human Genome Project, saw that the preventive medicine model of the future, which would be based on personalized fundamentals, and premeditated to work in this field in the next part of his career.

In 1998, Dr. Savaş was appointed as the vice President of the World Health Organization Europe. He returned to Turkey in 2000 and founded United Health Systems, Advanced Medical Technologies, and GENAR Institute. In 2004, he was elected to the Party Assembly of the Democratic Left Party. Between 2009 and 2011, he served as the Deputy Chairman of DSP responsible for policy development, foreign affairs, and R&D. Dr. Savaş published books “Becoming a Lion – Health Care Reform in Kyrgyzstan” (2000), “A Methodology for Analyzing Contracting in Health Care” (2000), “Health Care Systems in Transition: Turkey” (2002).

Some of the fields that Dr. Serdar Savaş, studies are health policies, public health, prevention of chronic diseases, the genetic basis of chronic diseases, public health genomics, individual and community nutrition, health economics, health finance, health law, organization and management of health services, health manpower, reproductive health, malaria.

As a physician who has made effective national and international duties in almost all fields of the health sector, especially in the fight against vaccine-preventable diseases, epidemiology, statistics, medical education, and drug policies, has made a difference and made permanent reforms in his fields of work, brought innovations and made progress. The 7K Medicine model he developed brings a new perspective in terms of the functions of primary health care services and is defined as the health strategy of the 21st century. In addition, every subject related to nature and humans is of interest, especially human development, country development, international cooperation, education, health, economy, justice, science, art, theology, human rights, environment, ecology, and animal rights.

Dr. Serdar Savaş, health policies, public health, prevention of chronic diseases, the genetic basis of chronic diseases, public health genomics, individual and community nutrition, health economics, health finance, health law, organization and management of health services, health manpower, reproductive health, malaria He is a physician who has made effective national and international duties in almost all fields of the health sector, especially in the fight against vaccine-preventable diseases, epidemiology, statistics, medical education, drug policies, has made a difference and made permanent reforms in his fields of work, brought innovations and made progress. The 7K Medicine model he developed brings a new perspective in terms of the functions of primary health care services and is defined as the health strategy of the 21st century. In addition, every subject related to nature and humans is of interest, especially human development, country development, international cooperation, education, health, economy, justice, science, art, theology, human rights, environment, ecology, and animal rights.

Dr. Savaş, has direct involvement and contribution to several projects.
Preparation of draft law on health reforms in Türkiye (1992-1993), Regional Health Cooperation Conference (Central Asian Turkic Republics, TRNC, Bosnia and Herzegovina health ministers, WHO, World Bank, UNICEF, UNDP, a very comprehensive and first conference organized) (1993),Kyrgyzstan Health Reform / Manas Project (1994-1996),Organizing the Ljubljana European Health Reforms Conference of Ministers of Health and drafting the European Charter (1996),CARNET Central Asian Health Reform Network (1996-2000),Establishment of the Central Asian Republics Ankara Project Office in cooperation with the World Health Organization-TIKA (1997),UK Healthcare Procurement and Contracts Study (1995-1998),Germany Health Sector Agreements (1995-1998),Turkmenistan Health Reform / LUKMAN Project (1996-1998),Establishment of Kazakhstan Public Health University (1997-1999),Establishment of Portuguese regional health administrations (1997),Health for All in Europe for the 21st Century (1999-2000),Development of Vehbi Koç Foundation health strategies (2000),VKV American Hospital reorganization and productivity increase project (2001),World Bank Türkiye Health Reform Strategy Study (2001), Preparation of Turkish Reproductive Health Policy (2005),Organization of the International Nutrigenetics Symposium (This is the first symposium held in Europe on this subject.) (2005),European Union Project: Investigation of Pharmacogenetic Characteristics of Drug-Resistant Cases Among Epilepsy Patients (2006-2008),Development of nutritional models to combat chronic complex diseases by taking into account nutrigenetic characteristics (2003-2009),Using the Gentest integrated service model in the prevention of chronic and complex diseases (2004-2008)7K Medicine and Gentest research projects (with VU Amsterdam researchers) (2020).

Biography of Dr. Serdar Dr. Savaş

About Bircan Ünver, Founder-President of The Light Millennium, Charitable Global Human Advancement Organization (LMGlobal.Org, 2001, New York), which has been associated with the United Nations Department of Global Communications (formerly UN.DPI/NGO) since 2005. She is also, founder-and-executive producer of The Light Millennium Television (LightMillenniumTV, January 2000), which is available through local cable channels in Queens and on demand through its online channel (www.vimeo.com/channels/LightMillenniumTV).

About Çiğdem Yorgancıoğlu: Turkish economist, Lecturer, Artist, Globetrotter, Contract&Risk Expert IT and Energy Sector Forensic Sciences Expert (Contract Management) Columnist Uluslararası Politika Akademisi, Enerji Gazetesi –Represented Turkey abroad in the fields of Academic presentation and Art . –USA-China-Qatar
www.Cigdemyorgancioglu.org
https://www.kobipostasi.net/2022/04/07/mim-chi-calisan-verimini-artiriyor/

References:
1. https://boun.academia.edu/CigdemYorgancoglu
(Çiğdem Yorgancıoğlu Article Academia)- November 2017 Health 4.0 Congress https://www.academia.edu/35307973/Health_4_0_Sa%C4%9Fl%C4%B1kta_Yenilikler_Kongresi_nden_%C4%B0zlenimler_H_%C3%87i%C4%9Fdem_Yorganc%C4%B1o%C4%9Flu
2. https://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/278073/Case-Investing-Public-Health.pdf
3. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/noncommunicable-diseases
4. https://www.lmglobal.org/2023/04/03/invitation-disease-or-health-with-dr-serdar-savas-on-sunday-april-9-at-130pm-edt/
5. Health Care Reform in Central Asia: https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/108184
6. WHO Regional Office for Europe. https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/108184DescriptionEURO-EUR/ICP/CARE 07 04 10(‎B)‎5 p.Document number EUR/ICP/CARE 07 04 10(‎B)‎
7. WHA53.17: Prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases
https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/260181Fifty-third World Health Assembly, Geneva, 15-20 May 2000: resolutions and decisions, annex

Recommended Readings: Complex Interventions Deserve Complex Evaluations: A Transdisciplinary Approach to Evaluation of a Preventive Personalized Medicine Intervention

Further readings
https://www.who.int/health-topics/noncommunicable-diseases#tab=tab_1

#WorldHealthDay2023, #WHD2023, #UNDays, #DrSerdarSavas, #LMGlobalOrg, #LightMillenniumTV, #Disease #Health, #PreventableDisease, #DiseaseOrHealth,