Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş stated, "The goal with day care and active living centers is to provide quality and free day care services in accordance with the needs and demands of older persons and their families."

As part of her schedule in Hatay, Minister Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş visited AFAD Coordination Center and Bekir Apaydın Social Market for earthquake survivors.

Afterwards, Göktaş met with the families living in the prefabricated houses built by CİNER Group and presented-battery powered vehicles to 7 persons with disabilities.

At the opening ceremony of the Hatay Day Care and Active Living Center, which she attended after her visits, Göktaş stated that all the means of the government were mobilized for Hatay, which was affected by the Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes on February 6.

Expressing that the Ministry stood by the survivors of the disaster, Göktaş continued: "The ministers, under the leadership of Mr. President, did not leave Hatay or other earthquake-affected provinces alone for a single moment. As a requirement of our mission to leave no one behind, we, as the Ministry of Family and Social Services, have stood by you with all our means."

Göktaş stated that the Ministry attached great importance to improving the quality of life of older persons and their active participation in social life, and shared the activities carried out in the field.

Stating that the Ministry aimed to expand the day care and active living centers, where guidance, counseling, and psychosocial support services were also provided, Göktaş continued: "The field research conducted by the teams in tent and container cities in Hatay, as in 10 other provinces following the earthquake, enabled us to identify the issues faced by persons over the age of 60 residing in these settlements due to the earthquake. We have also taken important steps to ensure the participation of older persons in active living with the solutions developed in line with their demands. The activation of the Hatay Day Care and Active Living Center is one of those solutions developed."

Minister Göktaş informed that the center was planned to serve 50 older persons over the age of 60 and added, "If we can put a smile on your faces even for a moment, and make your hardships easier, this is a moment of joy for us."

"608 citizens benefit from the 38 centers"

Minister Göktaş stated that the center would offer painting, music, handicrafts and Ebru courses, physiotherapy, shuttle and lunch services, as well as cultural, social and sports activities:

"Currently, 608 citizens benefit from the 38 day care and active living centers that provide these services to senior citizens across Türkiye. Through the day care and active living centers, it is the goal to provide quality and free day care services in line with the needs and demands of older persons and their families. We plan to make these centers one of the main service units of the Ministry. Hopefully, we will continue the work uninterruptedly in the new period to expand similar institutions in all provinces."

Elmas Esra Ceceli, Director General of Services for Persons with Disabilities and the Elderly, noted that the expansion of the centers in all provinces was one of the goals presented by the President of the Republic of Türkiye Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Following the speeches, the center was opened.