Gulhane Institute of Defensive Health Sciences was established on September 11, 2017, in Ankara as the first institute with a defense and health theme in Turkey.

The institute develops policies for defensive health services and consists of nine different specialized departments that includes Medical Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense (CBRN Defense), Air and Space Medicine, Defense and Navy Medicine, Military Hygiene and Preventive Health Services, War Surgery and Military Health Services.

Our Institute, like our university which serves as a bridge between the past and the future, continues its education in Gülhane campus in Ankara. Our main mission for education is giving student-centered education and provided abilities which improves our students’ scientific, cultural and military related perspectives. We also serve scientific research, provide production and coordination services in the above listed fields.

General Information

Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Agents are agents used in both military and terrorist activities in order to kill living masses due to their physiological and biological effects, to eliminate them by seriously injuring them and to render them ineffective by disrupting their functions. Besides; there is also the risk of spreading as a result of accidents in transportation and smuggling, and in the surrounding nuclear and chemical industrial facilities.

These weapons/agents also have indirect effects such as contaminating plant and animal food stocks and rendering them unusable, reducing their mobility by forcing people to use protective clothing and vehicles to protect themselves, creating fear and panic in the public, and rendering the intervention and health system inoperable.

Tasks of Medical CBRN Department:

1) To provide training at all levels, including Master's/PhD training, to health and scene response personnel on diagnosis, treatment and response plans for injuries caused by chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear weapons,

2) To carry out R&D activities for the defense of medical CBRN, to develop plans and projects,

3) To provide medical and scientific coordination and consultancy on CBRN defense, both at the national level and within the Turkish Armed Forces,

4) To contribute to the formation and execution of the Medical CBRN doctrine and concept of our country and the Turkish Armed Forces.

Activities Performed by the Medical CBRN Department:

1- Educational Activities

1. a) Doctorate and master's degree: In this context; To date, seven medical doctors completed their doctorate education at academic level, one health officer and one health education specialist have completed their master's education. Currently, 7 medical doctors staff and 1 health education specialist are continuing their doctoral education, and 1 biologist an done EMT are continuing his master's education.
2. b) Medical CBRN Course: A total of about 500 military health staff attended and completed the courses given to Ministry of Defense. The course are 5 days-work course including three days theoretical lectures and 2-days practical information on medical management, decontamination, detection, first-aid, table-top exercises, etc. CBRN trainings for TAF Special Forces, other Troops in the Southeast region were also available.
3. c) CBRN Training given to civilian organizations: A total of more than 1000 health personnel received training in the Medical CBRN courses (details are above) given to the personnel of the Ministry of Health and other related first responders. In addition, 25 personnel of the Criminal Department of the General Directorate of Security and 6 personnel working in the MKE (machinery and chemical industry) mask factory were given CBRN training for one semester.
4. e) Faculty of Medicine Education: CBRN lessons are taught to the students of the Faculty of Medicine within the scope of Forensic Medicine lessons.
5. f) Nursing High School: “CBRN War and Health Services” courses were given to the 3rd year students in the “Military Nursing Committee in Peace and Extraordinary Conditions”.

2- Scientific studies and R&D Activities: Within the scope of scientific studies and R&D activities on CBRN, articles and book chapters were published in national and international journals, and participation was ensured in scientific meetings.

3- Laboratory Activities: Laboratory studies for the detection of CBRN agents are still carried out in the laboratory located on the 2nd floor of the Institute of Health Sciences building.

Physical Location of Medical CBRN Department:

While the administrative parts, staff rooms and laboratory of the Medical CBRN Department are located on the 2nd floor of the Health Sciences Institute Directorate Building, the CBRN Training and Simulation Center is located in the 100th Year Valley.

Study Subjects of the Medical CBRN Department:

- Detection and identification of CBRN agents

- Therapeutic approaches to CBRN agents

- Preparedness and medical measures for CBRN threats

- CBRN disaster risk management

- CBRN modeling and simulation

- Decontamination methods

- Bacillus anthracis

- Biosensor development

- Analysis of chemical warfare agents using GC-MS and LC-MS

- Effects of chemical warfare agents on human cell lines

- Effects of nitrogen mustard

Program Manager

Prof. Dr. Levent KENAR

Head of Medical CBRN Defense Department

Health Sciences University Gulhane Health Sciences Institute, Gulhane Kulliye Emrah Mah. 06018 Etlik, Kecioren, Ankara

Phone: 0312 304 3329

e-mail : levent.kenar@sbu.edu.tr

History

Health Sciences University, Defense Health Sciences Institute,Department of Medical CBRN Defense was established in 1983 as "NBC Department" under the GATA (Gulhane Military Medical Academy) Health Sciences Institute Directorate. As of July 2007, the name of the Department was changed to "CBRN Department" and then to "Medical CBRN Department Head". The Department of Medical CBRN Defense, which is still under the Directorate of Defense Health Sciences Institute of the University of Health Sciences, fulfills the duties assigned to it with a total of 7 personnel (2 Professors, 2 Associate Professors, 2 Assistant Professors, 1 Health Officer).