For about a month, Professor Bülent Tutluoğlu, a Pulmonologist with Acıbadem Healthcare Group, was battling COVID-19 in the intensive care unit, with a 50% chance of recovery. Over the course of treatment, he was intubated and placed on plasmapheresis or ‘cleaning’ of blood and stem cell therapy. Yet all he could think of was getting back to his patients.
Professor Tutluoğlu was one of the first few physicians who were infected by COVID-19 in Turkey several days after the country recorded its first case on 11 March. He was admitted to the hospital on 17 March, where he was eventually tested COVID-19 positive.
As his condition worsened, he was transferred to the intensive care unit, where he was put on ventilation and started on a challenging treatment involving plasmapheresis and stem cell therapy.
While I was anaesthetised by my colleagues at the intensive care unit, I told myself that I cannot be defeated by this infection,” said the Professor.
After battling the disease for almost a month, he was finally well to go home. As he walked out of the ward, cheered on by well-wishers, his first response when asked what he was looking forward to most, was: “I can go back to treating my patients now!”
Related Stories
Fortis Memorial Research Institute Champions ECMO Excellence at ECMOASIA 2026
On 24-25 July 2026, Fortis Memorial Research Institute (FMRI), Gurugram hosted ECMOASIA 2026, a landmark conference that brought together leading national and international experts to advance awareness, education and clinical excellence in Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) care across the Asia-Pacific region.
Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur Brings Preventive Care to the Workplace
On 12 August, Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur (PHKL) partnered with Unitrade Industries Berhad and AIA Malaysia to deliver an On-Site Influenza Vaccination and Health Screening Programme at Unitrade's premises, bringing accessible preventive care directly to the workplace.
Premier Integrated Rehab Launches New Centre in Kuala Terengganu
Premier Integrated Rehab has opened a new centre in Kuala Terengganu, bringing rehabilitation services closer to communities across Malaysia’s East Coast.
IHH Singapore Becomes First Private Healthcare Provider to Host the Patient Safety Community of Practice
With the support of the Ministry of Health, IHH Singapore brought together public and private healthcare professionals to explore how technology can advance safer, more reliable care.
Gleneagles Hong Kong Partners PURE Group on Preventive Health
Gleneagles Hong Kong and PURE Group are combining clinical expertise with everyday wellness to support a more proactive approach to health.
