As can be understood even from the fact that the term "pediatrics"—derived from the word "paidos", meaning "child" in ancient Greek—first entered medical language only in 1872, "pediatrics" is a "young" branch of medicine compared to fields such as internal medicine, surgery and obstetrics.

After the death from diphtheria of Hatice Sultan, daughter of Sultan Abdülhamid II, the first children's hospital in our country was the "Hamidiye Etfal Hastahane-i Alisi"—as it was then called—opened in 1901 and known today as the Şişli Children's Hospital. In those years there were not yet any physicians trained in the field of pediatrics in the country. Children were cared for in the newborn and infancy periods by obstetricians-gynecologists, and older children by physicians for adults. In this context, although their specialties were Obstetrics and Gynecology, we should mention Besim Ömer Akalın (1862-1940) and Asaf Derviş Pasha (1868-1928), who made significant contributions in the field of maternal and child health services and education. Our unit is the department concerned with the protection of the health of our children and the diagnosis and treatment of their diseases throughout the period from the newborn stage to adolescence. Since its establishment in 1970, our clinic has trained more than 200 Specialists in Pediatrics (Child Health and Diseases), and 29 research assistants are currently continuing their specialty training. Educational meetings are held regularly three days a week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) (12:45 – 13:30). In addition, a seminar on Neonatology is organized regularly every month together with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Establishment of the Department

The Pediatrics (Child Health and Diseases) Clinic of D.U. Faculty of Medicine was established in 1970. Its first Head and Faculty Member was Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sadık Apak. For 10 years it provided services to the people of the region—including State Hospital services—in the Administration Building adjacent to the Old Maternity Hospital near the Fiskaya district and in an earthquake barracks set up next to it. In 1980 it moved to the 8th floor of the Hospital building on the Dicle University Campus and was located in this building for 30 years, until 2010. In 2010 it moved to the new Children's Hospital building constructed on the plain by the bank of the Tigris River, on the entrance road of our University.

Undergraduate Education

In the education of Faculty of Medicine students, Term 3 receives theoretical education, Term 4 receives theoretical and practical education (hands-on diagnostic and treatment approach within the clinic), and Term 6 students receive Intern Doctor training.

Postgraduate Education

Research assistants are admitted through the Medical Specialty Examination (TUS) held in September and April. The specialty training period is 4 years; in the initial period, after a 2-month adaptation process, 12 on-call shifts are held together with the responsible senior resident, while this number is determined by the chief residency. During the training, the residents work at the required seniority level in all clinical, outpatient and rotation units; in addition, they attend seminars three days a week and intra-clinic meetings five days a week. On predetermined dates each year, the residents deemed appropriate by the chief residency can actively participate in scientific activities such as domestic and/or international congresses, courses and symposia.