After the medical trainings he received in Western and Eastern countries and the operations he participated in, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ali Ovayolu, who returned home by assimilating them, continues to serve at Gaziantep Private Liv Hospital hospital with his experience.
Gynecology and obstetrics specialist Ovayolu, while making many families have children with the IVF application he performed, also draws attention to the vaccine developed against the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which is sexually transmitted and causes cancer in the body. “One of our biggest goals should be to make Gaziantep, a city of industry and production, the base of our region in health,” he said.
‘WHO IS ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR DR. ALİ OVAYOLU?
Ovayolu, who evaluated the process of becoming an obstetrician and gynecologist by talking about his short resume, said, “I was born in Gaziantep. I completed my primary, secondary and high school education in Gaziantep. I graduated from Çukurova Faculty of Medicine. I completed my specialization in 2006 and qualified as an obstetrician and gynecologist. I continued my academic studies in London in 2007 with Prof. Dr. Nicolaides, who has important studies in the field of perinatology (risky pregnancies). I decided to serve my hometown and returned home.”
‘I AIMED TO SERVE MY HOMETOWN GAZIANTEP BY SYNTHESIZING THE MEDICAL SCIENCES OF WESTERN AND EASTERN COUNTRIES’
Ali Ovayolu said that he aims to serve in the field of specialty in Gaziantep by synthesizing the medical knowledge he obtained from Western and Eastern countries. Explaining that he came to his hometown Gaziantep and started to serve at the Private Liv Hospital Hospital after his medical training abroad and many scientific researches, Ovayolu said, “After my military service, I had a short-term working experience in several private hospitals in Gaziantep. In the meantime, I received endoscopy (closed surgeries) training in India. I also participated in endoscopy (laparoscopy-hysteroscopy) trainings given by Prof. Dr. Fatih Şendağ at Ege University. Later, I started working at Gaziantep Cengiz Gökçek Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital and continued for 12 years. I focused on endoscopy, IVF, pregnancy follow-up and gynecological operations. I helped thousands of children to be born without any problems. I participated in laparoscopy trainings in Switzerland. I attended advanced gynecological operations trainings in Germany. Then I received gynecological laparoscopy training with single port at the National Cancer Institute in Rome. In other words, I tried to bring science from both the west and the east to my hometown. I have successfully performed many operations and treatments. I have participated in many national and international congresses as a participant and educator, and represented our city. Many of my articles and presentations were accepted at home and abroad. Finally, I was entitled to receive the title of associate professor in 2020. I am a member of many national and international associations related to my profession. Liv hospital had a request to activate the IVF unit, I accepted. I continue my work in order to add something to Gaziantep. I like to take walks. I donate blood regularly. I recommend blood donation and organ donation to everyone. I love spending time with my wife and children, who provide me with the greatest support. We try to participate in touristic trips and sociocultural activities whenever we can. We love Gaziantep and plan to live in this city.”
‘WE STAND BY OUR SENSITIVE COUPLES WITH THE SLOGAN ‘FROM IVF TO BIRTH’
Ovayolu said that he treats families who have children with IVF treatment from the beginning to the end with the slogan ‘from IVF to birth’. Stating that although he continues infertility and IVF treatments mostly in Gaziantep, he can also provide health services in other provinces upon request, Ovayolu said, “Prof. Dr. Recai Pabuçcu and his team at Malatya Doğufertil IVF Center, which opened near the end of my residency, introduced me to IVF. However, I had to leave due to compulsory service, military service, etc. Later, I received my IVF certificate in the IVF unit of Istanbul Zeynep Kamil Training and Research Hospital, which is one of the most intensive IVF centers in Turkey, and conducted scientific studies. I was assigned to the establishment and supervision of many IVF centers. I continued to participate in many national and international congresses, symposiums and meetings on Reproductive Medicine and Surgery. My studies on IVF were accepted in the international arena. Most recently, I participated in update trainings in the IVF unit of Ankara Etlik Zübeyde Hanım Maternity Hospital. I try to be with our sensitive couples with the slogan “From IVF to birth”. I perform infertility and IVF treatments of our couples in Gaziantep myself, alternatively, I help the examination and preparation procedures of those who want to perform IVF treatment in other cities such as Istanbul.”
‘WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND VACCINATION AGAINST COVID-19 OUTBREAK DURING PREGNANCY’
Ovayolu said that during the Covid-19 pandemic process experienced worldwide, pregnant women and especially pregnant women with priority diseases are a risky group and should definitely be vaccinated. Mentioning the existence of couples who had Covid infection during IVF treatment and whose treatments were interrupted, Ovayolu drew attention to the need to be sensitive about vaccination and said, “I actively contributed to the diagnosis and treatment of our patients and especially pregnant women during the Covid pandemic. No definitive treatments have been found yet. The most effective methods are still protection and vaccination. Health organizations in America and Europe and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Turkey report that the Covid 19 vaccine is safe in pregnancy in the light of current information. Covid vaccine is recommended for unvaccinated pregnant women, regardless of the month or week of pregnancy. In particular, individuals (pregnant women) with a history of other diseases are at higher risk and should be more careful. Vaccination can be performed at any stage of the IVF process. I know patients who had Covid infection especially during IVF treatment and whose treatment was canceled. In order not to fall into such a situation, I recommend that both of the couple be vaccinated as soon as possible before IVF.”
‘WE EMPHASIZE SUGAR LOADING TEST IN PREGNANCY’
Ovayolu said that the highest rate of sugar in pregnant women is seen in Gaziantep due to our lifestyle. Pointing out that sugar loading during pregnancy is vital, Ovayolu expressed the importance of the issue with the following statements: “Our Gaziantep food culture is high-calorie. We neglect sports even in pregnant women. Therefore, obesity, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases are common. In addition, gestational diabetes, which occurs with sudden and excessive weight gain during pregnancy, is seen in Gaziantep with the highest frequency in Turkey. The answer to the question of why gestational diabetes is so important is very critical. Although there are negative effects of elevated maternal sugar during pregnancy, the most important problem is that the heart of the baby in the womb stops and the baby is lost as a result of the pregnant woman’s starvation or the mother’s blood sugar drops for any reason. The sugar loading test is prepared with a mixture of tea sugar and water (like a glass of lemonade or sherbet), which is equivalent to less sugar than a slice of baklava. It is clear that this mixture will have no adverse effects. I have not seen a bad side effect in any patient with a sugar loading test for about 30 years, and the scientific data support this. The following scenario is possible; a pregnant woman who does not have a sugar load test learns unexpectedly that she has lost her baby while waiting for the birth with high hopes. The couple, who go for regular check-ups and think that they have taken the necessary tests, start looking for a reason. However, the mother may have lost her baby due to low blood sugar because she did not take the sugar test. In short, I strongly recommend a sugar loading test during pregnancy.
‘THE FREQUENCY OF EARLY MENOPAUSE IS INCREASING DAY BY DAY’
Giving information about the menopause period in women, Ovayolu said that the average age of menopause, which is 48-50 years old, can drop to 20-30 years old and talked about the precautions to be taken, “The average age of menopause in Turkey is 48-50 years old. Earlier than 40 years of age is early menopause. There is a loss of fertility when a woman is in her 20s-30s due to the lack or absence of eggs. The incidence of early menopause has been increasing in recent years. The exact cause is unknown and it rarely resolves spontaneously. In women with menstrual irregularities, the diagnosis is easily made by determining the number of eggs by ultrasound and hormone tests performed in the blood. In vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo (baby) freezing treatments are the solutions for having a child as soon as possible. Egg freezing may be recommended for single women. Thus, they may have the opportunity to realize the slogan “I can have children and a career”.”
‘WE RECOMMEND VOLUNTARY EGG FREEZING AT A YOUNG AGE’
Stating that women undergoing cancer treatment may lose their fertility after the cancer treatment they receive, Ovayolu talked about the optional egg freezing method, “One of the negative effects of radiotherapy (radiation therapy) or chemotherapy (drug therapy) treatments in cancer patients is the decrease in the number of eggs or sperm, that is, the loss of fertility. Freezing reproductive cells before the treatments provides the chance to have children after overcoming cancer. Advances in freezing technology have brought new perspectives. Due to the age-related decline in the fertility of women who will postpone having children due to the desire to pursue a career in business life or for other reasons, optional egg freezing has started to be applied to these people. But we should not forget that the younger you do egg freezing, the higher the chances of success. It is important for women who decide to undergo egg freezing to apply as soon as possible and start treatment.”
‘IT IS POSSIBLE TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS AGAINST HPV VIRUSES WITH VACCINE’
Ovayolu drew attention to the importance of the vaccine against the HPV virus, saying that the Human Papilloma Virus is a type of sexually transmitted virus and 85 percent of the society is at risk. Stating that it is possible to protect against such viruses with the HPV vaccine, Ovayolu said, “Human/Human Papilloma Viruses (HPV) can cause genital warts, cervical cancer (~100% association has been shown), rectal cancer, head and neck (nose, mouth, larynx) cancers. It is a virus transmitted through sexual contact. It has also been shown to cause penile cancer in men. Like Covid19 or influenza viruses, there is no definitive treatment for HPV. 85 percent of the society is in contact with these viruses, in short, it is very common. After getting cancer, long treatments are tiring, costly and less successful. It is possible to be protected from these cancers with the HPV vaccine. For people over 9 years of age or before first sexual contact, vaccination is recommended for both sexes. In first world countries, all children are routinely vaccinated against HPV and significant reductions in these cancers have been proven over the years. I recommend HPV vaccination to protect our most precious assets, our children, from cancer. It is up to us, the healthcare professionals, to inform the public about the HPV (cancer) vaccine. I also make informative posts on this subject on my social media accounts.”
‘IT IS POSSIBLE TO PREVENT CANCER WITH EARLY DIAGNOSIS AND IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE TREATMENT PROCESS’
Talking about the changes felt in the human body with the transmission of the HPV virus and the measures to be taken, Ovayolu said, “Cervical cancer should be suspected in women with spotting or bleeding after sexual intercourse. In addition, the presence of palpable swelling or sores in the breast should suggest breast cancer. If a woman in menopause bleeds, the possibility of cancer is high. Abnormal (ulcerated) lesions around the vagina and between the groin may be associated with cancer. Early diagnosis is very important for cancer prevention and treatment. The HPV vaccine prevents it from occurring. The vaccine is the main prevention method in female cancers. It has no side effects. The vaccine is available in our hospital. It is easy to administer. For HPV vaccine and early signs of cancer, we expect the help of all our health personnel, apart from physicians, in raising awareness of our people.”
‘WE PLAN TO CONTRIBUTE TO OUR MIDWIVES, NURSES, STUDENTS AND ALLIED HEALTH PERSONNEL WITH TRAININGS.’
Pointing out that he shares his professional knowledge with all health personnel and that he closely follows the developments in medical science, Ovayolu said, “First of all, I inform our nurse and midwife friends on this subject. I contribute to the education of our students in the Department of Nursing at Hasan Kalyoncu University by attending their classes. I continue my multidisciplinary academic studies with my doctor colleagues and nurse friends in many universities, especially universities in Gaziantep. In addition, we established the Gaziantep Midwives Association to contribute to the development of our midwife friends. We are planning training meetings with our midwife friends. Considering the increasing accumulation of knowledge in recent years; it is obvious that in-professional trainings and update trainings are very important. I plan to continue trainings for both my nurse friends and midwife friends.”
‘WE NEED TO MAKE GAZIANTEP STAND OUT IN HEALTH AS IT DOES IN TRADE AND PRODUCTION’
Stating that turning Gaziantep, which is at the forefront of trade and production, into a health base is among the biggest goals, Ovayolu said, “We must bring our city, which is in good places in trade and production, to better places in the health sector. As Liv hospital Gaziantep family; we combine comfort with quality service delivery. I think we will contribute to this process with our qualified building infrastructure, the use of advanced technology products and successful physician staff. We will attach importance to education and development with direct ties with various universities, joint laboratory services, seminar-congress halls with advanced technology for training and professional management approach. By increasing IVF and other advanced services, I want to trigger competition and I want Gaziantep to win. Being the choice of Gaziantep people will be my best reward.”
Source Link = https://www.memohaber.com/haber/Temel-hedefimiz-sanayi-ve-ticaret-sehri-Gaziantepi-saglikta-da-tercih-edilen-sehir-yapmak-49710