Mustafa Kemal ATATÜRK; Türk Kurtuluş Savaşı’nın başkomutanı, Türkiye Cumhuriyeti’nin kurucusu ve ilk Cumhurbaşkanıdır. 1881’de Selanik’te dünyaya gelen Atatürk’ün sağlığı 1937’de bozulmaya başladı. 10 Kasım 1938’de 9’u 5 geçe Dolmabahçe Sarayı’nda öldü. Cenazesi 21 Kasım 1938’de geçici olarak Ankara Etnografya Müzesi’ne konuldu. 10 Kasım 1953’te kendisi için yaptırılan türbe Anıtkabir’e nakledildi. Ölümü sadece Türkiye’yi değil tüm dünyayı şok etti. İran’da bir aylık ulusal yas ilan edildi. Dönemin siyasetçileri yaptığı açıklamalarda Atatürk’ün vefatından derin üzüntü duydukları Türkiye ve dünya için ne ifade ettiğini ifade ettiler.
Sirozun Hastalık Süreci ve Tanısı
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk 1938 yılının başlarında iştahsızlık ve halsizlik hissetmeye başladı. Vücudunun çeşitli yerlerinde kaşıntılar meydana geldi ve burun kanamaları arttı. Vücudunda beliren kaşıntıya Çankaya Köşkü’ndeki karıncaların neden olduğu öne sürülerek konağa ilaç verildi. Daha sonra özel kür tedavisi için Yalova Termal’e gönderildi. 22 Ocak 1938’de termal otelde Dr. Atatürk, Atatürk’ü muayene etti. Nihat Reşat Belger karaciğer hastalığından şüphelendi ve Atatürk’e siroz teşhisi koydu. Termal otelde bir süre tedaviye devam edildikten sonra perhizden uzak durulması önerildi. Doktorların tüm itirazlarına rağmen 1 Şubat 1938’de tedaviyi bırakıp Bursa’ya yerleşti.
Due to the seriousness of Atatürk’s illness, Prime Minister Celal Bayar suggested bringing two physicians from Europe. Because of the Hatay problem experienced in those days, Atatürk rejected this offer, thinking that it would not be good to hear about the disease from outside. He agreed to a comprehensive examination by Turkish doctors. On March 6, 1938, at the Çankaya Mansion, five doctors examined Atatürk and the diagnosis of cirrhosis was repeated. The doctors said that Atatürk, whom they wanted to reduce his intense working tempo a little more, should definitely not drink alcohol.
A while after the examination, on the recommendation of the Prime Minister Celal Bayar, Prof. from Paris Medical Faculty. Dr. Noel Fiessinger has been invited to Ankara. Examining Atatürk, Dr. Noel Fiessinger made a diagnosis that matched the diagnoses and recommendations that other doctors had offered. Fissinger; “Sir, you may have won great battles, but in this case, you are the case and I am your commander, please do not forget this matter” found in the suggestion.
News about Atatürk’s Disease in the World Press
Atatürk’s illness, and especially his bringing doctors from Europe, had a wide repercussion in the world. News began to spread that Atatürk was about to die and to whom he would leave his political legacy. Upon the rumors, Atatürk appeared before the public at the Ankara stadium on May 19, 1938, in order to show the whole world that he was healthy. This exit was Atatürk’s last appearance before the people of Ankara. In memory of that day, which took place in a festive mood, the name of the Ankara stadium was changed to “19 May Stadium”.
Atatürk moved to Mersin after the ceremony on the same day regarding the Hatay issue, then went to Adana. He showed that he was at the head of the army with the military ceremonies. After this behavior of Atatürk, the news that appeared in the world press as “dying” came to an end. However, these travels of Atatürk caused his illness to increase from good to good. He left Ankara on May 6, 1938, moved to Istanbul, and returned to Dolmabahçe Palace.
The Will of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk wrote his will on September 5, 1938. He left all his assets to the Republican People’s Party, of which he was the leader, under certain conditions. In his will, he requested financial aid to his sister, his adopted children and İsmet İnönü’s children. At the same time, he asked for a certain amount of aid to the Turkish Language Association and the Turkish Historical Society.
French Doctor Noel Fiessinger came to Istanbul 3 more times on September 6, 1938. The water accumulated in Atatürk’s stomach increased considerably and 6 liters of water was taken from Atatürk’s stomach that day. It is said that 12 liters of water was taken because Atatürk did not relax despite this water. Prime Minister Celal Bayar came to Dolmabahçe Palace on September 18, 1938 and presented the 4-year economic plan file to Atatürk. Atatürk said that Turkey has a maximum of 3 years ahead of the realization of projects that are important for the country’s economy. He wanted a world war to break out and these projects to be implemented as soon as possible.
Atatürk’s Last Moments and Funeral Ceremony
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s illness gradually progressed and the water in his stomach collected again. Re-watering was done in October, and then on the afternoon of October 16, 1938, Atatürk fell into a severe coma. Starting from October 17, 1938, the government published official communiqués to inform the nation about Atatürk’s health. Atatürk came out of his coma on 21 October.
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk could not attend the celebrations, which was the “15th Anniversary of the Republic” on October 29, 1938, because his health was not favorable, although he wanted to. Celal Bayar read his speech, which he wrote to the Turkish army for the holiday, at the ceremonies held in Ankara. Again on November 1, 1938, Celal Bayar delivered the opening speech of the 5th Term of the 4th Legislative Year of the Turkish Grand National Assembly.
The heavy coma continued on the day and night of November 9, and Mustafa Kemal Atatürk passed away on Thursday, November 10, 1938, at 5 past 9, in the Dolma Palace in Istanbul Garden. Turning his head to the right at the time of his death, Atatürk’s last words were “Aleykümselam”. The Turkish Grand National Assembly and Atatürk’s comrades-in-arms gathered the day after his death; İsmet İnönü was elected as the Second President of the Republic of Turkey with the unanimous vote of 348 deputies.
The funeral prayer was held on the morning of 19 November at the Director of the Institute of Islamic Studies Ord. prof. It was rendered in Turkish by Mehmed Şerafeddin Yaltkaya. Photography is not allowed during the religious ceremony. People close to him, some generals, religious officials, palace officials and Hafız Major Yaşar Okur, who served with Atatürk for fifteen years, attended the funeral prayer.
