İbrahim Refik Saydam was born on September 8, 1881, in Istanbul. He was a Turkish physician, politician, and statesman. As one of the 18 officers who accompanied Mustafa Kemal Atatürk to Samsun, Refik Saydam was among the pioneering figures of the Turkish National Struggle. He served as Minister of Health and Social Assistance, Minister of Interior, Secretary General of the Republican People's Party (CHP), and Prime Minister of the Republic of Türkiye.

Early Life

Refik Saydam was born in the Fatih district of Istanbul in 1881. His father, Hacı Mehmet Efendi, was a merchant originally from Dolap Village, Karacaviran Subdistrict of Çerkeş, Çankırı, who traded in oil in Istanbul. His mother, Fatma Zehra Hanım, was the granddaughter of Osman Efendi from Divrik.

He began his education at a local neighborhood school and continued at Fatih Military Secondary School (Rüştiye) in 1892, followed by the Çengelköy Military Medical High School (Tıbbiye İdadisi). He graduated from the Military Medical School (Askerî Tıbbiye) in 1905 with the rank of Captain (Medical Officer). After clinical training at Gülhane Seririyatı, he undertook various medical and military duties. He also completed further education at the Berlin Military Medical Academy and the Charité Hospital in Germany.

Military and Medical Service

During the Balkan Wars, he combated cholera and infectious diseases. In World War I, he served as Assistant General Inspector of Medical Services. He inspected the Turkish Corps’ Health Organization at the Galicia Front.

During the National Struggle

Refik Saydam was part of the medical inspection team at the headquarters during Mustafa Kemal Pasha’s landing at Samsun on May 19, 1919. He participated in the Erzurum and Sivas Congresses. He served as a deputy for Bayezid in the opening session of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (TBMM). He held the posts of Head of the Health Department at the Ministry of National Defense and later Minister of Health and Social Assistance.

Ministerial and Prime Ministerial Career

Appointed Minister of Health and Social Assistance five times, Refik Saydam established Türkiye's national health system, developed preventive healthcare services, and spearheaded the opening of health schools. In 1925, he was elected President of the Turkish Red Crescent Society (Kızılay) and held this position for 14 years.

Following Atatürk’s death, he served as Minister of Interior and Secretary General of the Republican People’s Party under Celâl Bayar’s cabinet. On January 25, 1939, he was appointed Prime Minister. He managed both domestic and foreign policy during the difficult conditions of World War II.

Death and Funeral

On the night of July 8, 1942, Refik Saydam died of a heart attack at the Pera Palace Hotel in Istanbul. His funeral was held with great ceremony in Istanbul, after which his body was transported by train to Ankara. A military and official funeral ceremony was held in Ankara, and he was interred in the cemetery of Hacı Bayram Mosque.

Legacy

Refik Saydam is recognized as a pioneer of Türkiye's healthcare organization and preventive medicine. Following the Surname Law, Atatürk personally bestowed the surname “Saydam” upon him. He was honored with honorary professorships by Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine in 1925 and Çukurova University in 1974.