Gelisim News

“Gluten-free diet must be provided for celiac patients in natural disaster situations”

Students of Istanbul Gelisim University, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Public Relations and Advertising Department signed an extremely important situation with the slogan "Do not Let Celiac Become a Second Natural Disaster" on 9 May 2023 World Celiac Day. Within the scope of the social responsibility project, issues such as what celiac disease is, the diet of celiac individuals, how to coordinate the needs of celiac individuals in natural disasters, and how non-governmental organizations, especially government institutions, should act proactively on this issue were discussed. Ankara Celiac Association President Mehmet Tanrıseven stated that gluten-free diet must be provided for celiac patients in natural disaster situations.

The information and awareness webinar held online within the scope of the project in order to raise awareness for celiac patients who experienced great difficulties, especially after an earthquake that took place in Kahramanmaraş on February 6, 2023 and affected 10 provinces. In the organization, which was carried out under the coordination of Istanbul Gelisim University (IGU) Faculty of Applied Sciences, Public Relations and Advertising Department Head Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emel Tozlu Öztay, it was underlined that celiac disease is a digestive disease and gluten sensitivity of celiac individuals can result in death. Chairman of the Board of Trustees Abdülkadir Gayretli and Rector Prof. Dr. Bahri Şahin stated that they support all projects that can be realized on a voluntary basis.

“Celiac patients may face death when they consume gluten”

Within the scope of the project, Ankara Celiac Association President Mehmet Tanrıseven, Celiac and Organic Nutrition Association President Halim Şivecan, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Halime Pulat Demir from IGU Nutrition and Dietetics Department were present as invited speakers. Student participation and interest was intense. As part of the speech, Ankara Celiac Association President Mehmet Tanrıseven said: “One out of every three people is at risk of developing celiac disease due to gluten intolerance. This shows that in disaster situations, one out of every three people is facing celiac disease. Celiac patients can face death when they consume gluten. Hence, all non-governmental organizations, especially government institutions, must include a gluten-free diet structure in their natural disaster management plans because in these situations, gluten-free diet must be provided for celiac patients.”

“Even the snacks are too expensive”

Halim Şivecan, President of the Celiac and Organic Nutrition Association stated the following about the issue: "People with celiac have financial difficulties in terms of their nutritional needs, the price of even the smallest snacks is very expensive. People with celiac disease have a very limited social life. Today, it is very difficult for a child with celiac disease to celebrate his/her birthday, for university students to eat something with their friends in the school canteen. Moreover, we even encounter children who have never eaten chocolate in their life. State policies need to be restructured taking these situations into consideration.”