Perspectives on Health Policies in the Transition from Ottoman Empire to the Turkish Republic: Debates in the First Assembly (1920-1923)

Abstract

This article argues that the health policies of the early Turkish Republic were deeply rooted in Ottoman practices and shaped significantly by the discussions in the First Assembly (1920-1923). Using parliamentary minutes as primary sources, the study outlines the health policies implemented during the Republic's formative years and examines the structure of the First Assembly, established under extraordinary conditions, within its historical and political context. The article identifies key health-related themes debated in the Assembly, including morality, state-building, nationalism, demographic engineering, and the evolving role of physicians during the transition from the Ottoman Empire to the Turkish Republic. By analysing these discussions, the article highlights how health policies became a cornerstone of state-building efforts, reflecting broader ideological and practical concerns. This approach offers a nuanced understanding of how governance, public health, and ethical considerations intersected during a transformative period in Turkey's history.