Prof. Yesim Isil Ulman, from Acıbadem University School of Medicine, Department of History of Medicine and Ethics took part as an invited speaker and trainer at the Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey on Preventing Human Trafficking, the joint European Union/Council of Europe programme. During the international meeting held in Skopje on May 31st - June 1st, 2023, topics such as human trafficking, exploitation of women and children, inter-country solidarity, collaboration between government institutions and civil society, protection of women and child victims, improvement of human and public health, and regional and inter-country communication and support to prevent human trafficking were discussed. Representatives from the Council of Europe, academics from the North Macedonia Public Health Institution, volunteers from La Strada civil society, healthcare professionals, and social workers participated in the meeting.
During the meeting, Prof. Ulman delivered a speech on the prevention of human trafficking and women's exploitation in the context of a jointly published research, emphasizing international human rights concepts and universal ethical principles. She elaborated that the doctor-patient encounters and the informed consent process may help in identification of trafficked victims who had already exposed abuse and violence. Prof. Ulman also highlighted the importance of establishing appropriate communication with these women for identifying and rescuing them from organized crime networks, and providing the necessary protection and treatment they require. Following that, Prof. Ulman conducted a clinical ethics round, which was attended by approximately twenty healthcare professionals, specialists, volunteers, and social workers. In this session, she moderated the ethical resolution of a real-life case, where the victim was identified and provided with care and support by a physician in accordance with professional ethics values.
The Council of Europe, where Turkey is a founding member, is committed to working towards improving human and public health in the light of human rights and dignity.
