Losing a Child Is a Loss for Us All. A Child’s Life Is a Society’s Conscience
The Cyprus Turkish Pediatric Association shares its deep sorrow at the loss of nine-year-old Chinyere Olivia Ojoagu, and reaffirms its support for pediatricians.
We are experiencing deep sorrow at the loss of our nine-year-old child, Chinyere Olivia Ojoagu. We extend our condolences and wish patience to her family.
In this painful event, our pediatricians fought hard with all their knowledge, effort and dedication. Unfortunately, despite every medical intervention, it was not possible to save our child's life. This is a painful event that even medicine could not overcome.
As pediatricians who work around the clock for children's health, we are deeply affected — not only medically but also as human beings — and feel profound sorrow at such losses. The efforts of our colleagues, who mobilise every resource to keep our children healthy, often go unrecognised, yet they reflect a life, a conscience and a humanity devoted to children's health.
Every day, our pediatricians contend not only with illness but with the difficulties and shortcomings within the health system and an uncontrolled, changing demographic landscape. Despite all these challenges, they continue to do their very best for every child's life.
Unfair accusations directed at our physicians erode public trust in the health system and are hurtful to physicians themselves. It must not be forgotten that pediatric medicine requires not only knowledge but patience, conscience and great responsibility. Our colleagues, who fight with hope for children, are truly quiet heroes.
Furthermore, accurate communication and mutual trust with families are vital to our children's lives. Every intervention delayed by fear, misinformation or distrust spread in public can sometimes lead to irreversible consequences.
In this specific case, with the knowledge that all necessary medical interventions were carried out fully and in a timely manner, the public disclosure of a transparent investigation — which we have requested be completed at the earliest opportunity so the facts can be understood — is essential to restoring the rights and reputation of our profession and our colleagues. We remain open to cooperation of any kind on this matter.
It is also clear that we must work together, in solidarity, to overcome the distrust that has developed towards the health system in our country. As the Cyprus Turkish Pediatric Association, we stand behind all pediatricians who carry out this demanding and sacred duty with dedication every day, and we call on the press and the public to trust science, physicians and accurate information.
We know that pediatric medicine is not merely a profession, but a duty to humanity.
Cyprus Turkish Pediatric Association Board of Directors
