In Antalya, a Ukrainian child affected by the war regained their health! Emine Erdoğan paid special attention

Due to the Ukraine-Russia war, 10-year-old Myhailo Popazav, suffering from "Ablepharon-Macrostomia Syndrome," was brought to Turkey three years ago, where he regained his health at Akdeniz University (AÜ) Hospital.

AÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Özlenen Özkan provided information about Popazav's condition to Olena Zelenska, the wife of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during her visit to Turkey. "We have been monitoring him for two years. Fifteen surgeries were performed," she said.

Emine Erdoğan, the wife of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, together with Olena Zelenska, who was on an official visit to Turkey, visited the Eryaman Children's Home Site in Ankara, which houses Ukrainian children affected by the war. During the visit, AÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Özlenen Özkan, who accompanied them, shared information about Myhailo Popazav, a Ukrainian boy who received treatment at AÜ Hospital in 2022.

Popazav, one of the children brought to Turkey due to the war between Ukraine and Russia, had drawn attention for his serious health problems. He was born without eyelids, had an abnormally large mouth, and suffered from hearing issues. Thanks to 15 surgeries conducted by a team led by Prof. Dr. Özlenen Özkan, Popazav regained his health.

At the Eryaman Children's Home Site in Güzelkent, Etimesgut district, Prof. Dr. Özlenen Özkan paid close attention to Myhailo Popazav, whom she saw with Emine Erdoğan. After receiving detailed information about the child's condition, Prof. Dr. Özkan expressed her happiness to see that he was doing well. She informed both Erdoğan and Zelenska about Myhailo's treatment and mentioned other Ukrainian child patients treated in Turkey.

"I AM VERY HAPPY, SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE"

Prof. Dr. Özlenen Özkan stated that she was delighted to see Myhailo again after a long time, adding that Emine Erdoğan entrusted him to her care in 2022. "He was born with facial deformities, and we immediately started surgeries to address them. We monitored him for two years and performed 15 surgeries. He was an abandoned child. After the war in Ukraine broke out, he came to Turkey, and our paths crossed. Over two years, we created eyelids that he didn't have, which almost prevented blindness. His lips and mouth were reduced in size. I hadn't seen him for a long time and was very happy to see him. He has made significant progress."

Prof. Dr. Özkan also noted that Olena Zelenska showed great interest in the children. "We talked about other Ukrainian child patients we have treated and Myhailo Popazav. Zelenska expressed her gratitude".