President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed citizens at the mass opening ceremony held in Kahramanmaraş. The opening ceremony was also attended by Minister Koca.
Saying that the people of Kahramanmaraş welcomed them with open arms, Erdoğan said: "Today, Maraş welcomed us open-heartedly."
“We will continue to strengthen our place in the hearts of the people”
Stressing that they would continue to strengthen their place in the hearts of the people thanks to new buildings and services for the past 19 years, Erdoğan continued:"During the pandemic, many countries were faced with serious political, economic, and social challenges while we took a positive course from healthcare to economy. Our annual exports exceeded USD 207 billion. We have reached a level in employment higher than before the pandemic. The central bank reserves have reached USD 118 billion. On this blessed road, where we walk together with our nation, where we have overcome many great struggles together, our goals are now closer than ever. We are this close. We have paid our dues, we have made many sacrifices, we have endured many troubles. Now it is time to reap the fruits and build a great and powerful Turkey step by step. I sincerely believe that the people of Kahramanmaraş will support us in 2023, as it did in every fight for the past 19 years."
"Our fight conducted with unity and solidarity has come to fruition"
Minister of Health Fahrettin Koca also delivered a speech at the opening ceremony. "Distinguished people of Maraş, we have left behind a very difficult two years. Under the leadership of President Erdoğan, we have stood hand in hand in tumultuous times, and experienced challenging days where everything turned upside down. Today, our fight conducted with unity and solidarity has come to fruition. As of yesterday, we have administered 100 million doses of vaccines.Mr. President, the total investment cost of 119 health facilities in Kahramanmaraş, which were put into service over the course of 19 years, is about 1 billion Turkish Liras. These investments, which include 9 hospitals, 6 hospital annexes, 40 health centers, and 20 emergency medical stations, have been offered to the service of the people of Maraş."
Today, the construction of 9 different health facilities in Kahramanmaraş, the 300-bed obstetrics and children's hospital, 125-bed Pazarcık State Hospital, continues,” Koca said and added: “The cost of the ongoing projects is about 400 million Turkish Liras. Esteemed citizens, as long as we stand together and in solidarity, tomorrow will be safer, brighter, and more prosperous than today. As we embrace one another, our children will look to the future with confidence. As we share, we will have more. The people of Maraş know best about solidarity. Let us stand together."
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