I am a doctor and have been practising anaesthesia and intensive care in the UK since 2008. My origin goes back to the heart of Anatolia, to a Kurdish city, where I was born and raised in the midst of major political and social crises. Despite conflict and hardship my childhood and early adult years were fun. 

I fantasised about becoming various things; becoming an astronaut, air force pilot and finally a writer. Although not sure how exactly I decided to study medicine I think that the privilege and the insight into humanity that medicine provides has been a very unique experience. I consider myself very lucky to do what I do as a practising anaesthetist.

As somebody who takes close interest into poverty, conflict, humanitarian crises and has a huge desire to do something to lessen the pain in the world, I have recently joined MSF. My first MSF mission has been incredibly rewarding and I intend to continue my involvement in the coming years.

I was on mission for seven weeks weeks in Agok, a town in the Abyei Special Administrative Area, which is a disputed area between Sudan and South Sudan. The mission involved secondary emergency health care for the general and displaced population with high infant and maternal mortality rates, poor sanitation and poor immunisation. As the anaesthetist I provided anaesthetic care, coaching and training for the local staff as well as overseeing the surgical activities involved. This was a busy project with high level of surgical activities with around 50 planned procedures per week as well as frequent emergency operations.