Dr. Burhan Nalbantoglu Remembered in Northern Cyprus

In Northern Cyprus, commemorative events are being held to mark the 46th anniversary of the death of Burhan Nalbantoglu — one of the key figures of the Turkish Cypriot national movement and the political history of the island.

According to the Nalbantoglu family, on Friday, February 6, at 11:00 a memorial ceremony will take place at his grave in the Lefkosa cemetery.

Burhan Nalbantoglu was born in 1925 in Famagusta. He was one of the founders of the Turkish Resistance Organization (TMT) and actively participated in all stages of the Turkish Cypriot national struggle, including the events in Erenköy. In political life, he held positions as Minister of Health and Member of Parliament, and was also among the founders of the Public Liberation Party.

A special place in his legacy is his contribution to the development of the healthcare system of Northern Cyprus. Nalbantoglu played a key role in the establishment of the country’s largest state hospital in Nicosia, which today bears his name — Dr. Burhan Nalbantoglu State Hospital. He personally participated in the implementation of this project.

Nalbantoglu passed away on February 6, 1980, at the age of 55. While serving in parliament, he suffered a brain hemorrhage. He was urgently transferred to Ankara for treatment, but could not be saved.