Prof. Dr. Ayla SAN
President of Anatolia Kidney Foundation
Ufuk University – Medical Faculty, Division of Nephrology
 
Turkish Nephrology dates back to 1950s, and it is through a great endeavor and development that we have reached year 2000. The small moves which started in 1950s in the historical development of nephrology in our country increased in 1960s, and were accelerated through the 1970s. Initially, the progress was rather slow progress since it was rooted more in personal efforts and endeavor, yet it made progress in 1980s due to the establishment of hemodialysis centers, and it finally managed in 1990s to live up to world standards.
When we evaluate dialysis from a more historical perspective; it is observed that dialysis has kept pace with historical and scientific improvements around the world, and yet we see that these applications have been delayed due to such factors as the obligation to procure most materials and machines from abroad, time losses incurred in establishing public recognition of dialysis, and shortage of trained personnel.
Dialysis and transplantation practices, which appeared more as an individual practice until 1980s started to continue under the roof of centers. Actual acceleration is seen in 1990s. And in more recent years, the increase in the number of dialysis centers has reached considerable extent. The number of dialysis centers has increased in 2001 to 391 compared to 234 centers in 1998. And Ministry of Health data suggest that this figure went up to 491 in 2002. And in 2004, this number is 518. According to 2004 records, the total number of patients who have undergone treatment is 35.044. The number of hemodialysis patients is 29775, the number of peritoneal dialysis patients is 4487, and that of transplant patients is 782.
First renal transplantation was performed in 1975 in our country. 7469 renal transplantations have been performed so far. Although the number of transplantations just increased, a satisfactory level has not been reached yet. Difficulties experienced throughout Turkey in the procurement of cadaver organs need to be overcome. Great progress has been made in the last two years, and especially at Mediterranean and Aegean Universities where organ transplantation coordination offices are established, this number has significantly increased. (Until 2004)