The public health problems in Istanbul according to the Vakit newspaper (1 November 1922 and 29 October 1924)

Following the successful conclusion of the National Struggle, Istanbul came under the administration of the TBMM Government on November 4, 1922. In Istanbul which was no longer the center of the state, significant changes occured in the health organization with the transformation of the "General Directorate of Health" into the "Istanbul Directorate of Health". During this period problems stemming from economic difficulties were experienced in health institutions in Istanbul. Moreover during the same period, many contagious diseases such as plague smallpox, tuberculosis, syphilis, spotted fever, influenza, malaria, rabies, anthrax, measles, scarlet fever, typhoid, meningitis, and cholera were seen in Istanbul and these diseases caused the death of many people. During the periods when diseases became epidemics, the people of Istanbul were compulsorily vaccinated against plague, smallpox, typhoid and cholera. Even during times of plague and smallpox epidemics a vaccination certificate was required. Passengers were not even allowed to travel domestically or internationally without presenting a vaccination certificate. Quarantine procedures and sactions against ships coming from foreign ports were strict. Since measles, scarlet fever, tubercilosis stomach and intestinal diseases were more common among children, child deaths were also frequently encountered during this period. With the declaration of the Republic, hospitals and pharmacies were first inspected in Istanbul. Those practicing medicine without a license or diploma were punished. İt was also seen that environmental problems in Istanbul had negative effects on public health during this period. In this study, the health problems of the people of Istanbul were investigated based on the health news published in the Vakit newspaper between November 1, 1922 and October 29, 1924. As required by its understanding of responsible journalism the Vakit newspaper carried the public health problems of Istanbul to its columns with sensitivity.