Ankara has been on the intersection of the historical routes and its strategic location assumed a new importance when the city became the capital of newly established republic. Afterwards Ankara has developed quite rapidly and became the second metropolis of Turkey. Nevertheless the old Ankara has maintained its identity and there are some neighbourhoods still charms with its historic features. Among them the principal features are the citadel of Ankara and Hamamönü neighbourhood (literally, quarter around the bathhouse).

The history of Hamamönü neighbourhood goes far back from the era when Ankara became the capital city, and its core is believed to be built in antiquity. The neighbourhood has become a centre of tourism since the award winning restoration work was completed. In 2011 Hamamönü became an EDEN (European Destinations of Excellence) awarded destination, and became one of the most visited sites in Ankara by domestic and foreign visitors. Despite being a very centrally located neighbourhood in Ankara, it was insulated from the crowded and noisy life of a big city, and attracts visitors to its quiet charm of olden times.

Hamamönü displays the structure of a neighbourhood of late Ottoman era and early days of Republic and the houses incorporate the features of Ottoman civic architecture. As a whole it presents a sample of old Ankara to its visitors. Alongside the houses restored so well to create a feel of visiting intricate streets of an Ottoman neighbourhood, there are major structures such as the Karacabey Hamamı (The bathhouse commissioned by Karaca Bey in 15th century), Taceddin Sultan Mosque, and Hacı Musa Mosque. Besides its civic and domestic structures reflecting the Ottoman era, Hamamönü was also renowned as the habitat of the significant politicians and artists of the early republic. For example, famous poet of the period Mehmet Akif Ersoy, lived in the neighbourhood and wrote the lyrics of Independence March, the national anthem of Turkey. His house was near the Karacabey Hamamı, and it was restored as a house of culture open to public in Mehmet Akif Ersoy Park. The townhouses shared as the residences by first members of the parliament, are also open to public.

Ankara's Culture and Art Centre

Hamamönü is best defined as one of the the busiest centre of arts and crafts in Ankara with many cultural activities taking place. Along the Sanat Sokağı (Arts Street) visitors could observe artists and crafts people working on their traditional arts and have an opportunity to purchase their creations as souvenirs. Also available to purchase are locally made items displayed at the handicrafts market. On weekends live music and audio-visual shows are available in Hamamönü and while it could be enjoyed throughout the year, the best time to visit is Ramadan period, when fasting month festivities and diverse activities are held every evening.

Gastronomy and History

Hamamönü takes its visitors through a journey back in time, and provides opportunities to enjoy diverse cuisines of various regions. There are many shops, cafes and patisseries where visitors could enjoy a cosy meal in a friendly atmosphere. While specialist restaurants provide unique dishes from traditional Turkish cuisine, there are many restaurants offering an international menu.

How to Go?

Ankara's Esenboğa International Airport has scheduled flight connections to many countries. Hamamönü is in the boundaries of Altındağ County in central Ankara and easily accessible. It is 10-15 minutes taxi ride away from the intercity coach terminal and from the central train station.

Information Text on the Use of Your Personal Data

This Consent and Information Document (“Information Document”) regulates terms and conditions for use of the data notified by Users of services (“Patients”) and/or gained from Patients during delivery of Oba Tourism Organization Adversiment  and Publishing Limited Company (“Medithrace”) with headquarter at Ertuğrul Mah. Orduevi Cad. No 2 Süleymanpaşa -  Tekirdağ pursuant to Personal Data Protection Law (Nr. 6698)  activities performed to deliver services, including “Free-of-charge Second Opinion and Health Counseling” (“Services”) at contract partner hospitals (“Hospitals”) with details written below.
 
How is your medical history and health information obtained?

Your personal health details are derived from “your medical reports, details about medications you take, epicrisis, imaging studies, imaging reports and pathology reports” that you submit us and they are shared with or disclosed to partner hospitals in Turkey and their relevant personnel in order to create your treatment plan.

Which data is processed?
 
This article lists the data that is regarded as personal data in Personal Data Protection Law (Nr. 6698) and processed by Medithrace for the services delivered to patients. Unless otherwise is stated, “Personal Data” and “Data with Specific Quality (Sensitive”) shall have following meanings pursuant to terms and conditions of this Information Document. 

Hospital collects following data that are notified by Patients. 
 
●    Identity - Address Details: Name surname, identity number, gender, date of birth, business or personal e-mail, phone number, home address or business address that are written on relevant forms,
●    Health Evaluation Details: Your medical history, medical reports, details of medications you take, epicrisis, imaging studies, imaging reports and pathology reports.
●    Extra data: Other health and/or personal information that is required for service delivery and not covered in above written data classes. 

Pursuant to Articles 3 and 7 of Personal Data Protection Law (Nr. 6698) and regulations to be issued by the Committee, personal data or sensitive data shall not cover the data that is anonymized by deleting your identity details in an irreversible manner and terms and conditions of this Information Document, hereby, shall not apply to such data. 

Why do we use your data?

Your data is shared with or disclosed to physicians, healthcare staff and other relevant hospital personnel to help our firm provide you with “free-of-charge second opinion” service that is rendered in relation with your probable treatment. Thus, they are used to have contract hospitals create a complete treatment plan and submit estimated cost.

Hospitals may process the personal data notified by the Patient and the new data derived by the Hospital from the personal data in order to help the Patient use the Services, deliver the Services, fulfill the intended use of the personal data specified in this Information Document, fulfill the liabilities arising out of the content of Services and meet any and all legal obligations.

In addition, the Hospital may process the personal data and disclose them to third parties without any need to consent of the Patient pursuant to Articles 5, 6 and 8 of Personal Data Protection Law (Nr. 6698) and/or in the presence of exemptions in the relevant legislation.

Allowed Disclosures
 
Medithrace shall be entitled to disclose the personal data notified by the Patient and the new data derived by the hospital from the personal data in order to render the Services, improve the patient experience, improve Services and achieve any one of the goals specified under the section “Why do we use your data?” of this Information Policy.

Your personal, clinical and genetic data collected pursuant to this Information Document, hereby, shall be processed in line with the provisions written in this document and the provisions and security measures dictated by relevant legislation of the country, where the data is stored and/or processed.

Your Right to Access Your Data and Your Correction Requests

 The patient shall have the following rights by applying to Medithrace;

●    Learning if the personal data is processed or how it is processed,
●    Requesting relevant information, if personal data is processed,
●    Learning the intent of processing personal data and whether they are used in line with the intention, 
●    Learning local and international third parties who are shared the personal data,
●    Requesting correction, if personal data is processes incompletely or incorrectly,
●    Requesting correction, deletion or disposal of the personal data in line with the provisions set by relevant legislation; requesting notification of the correction, deletion or disposal to third parties that are transferred the personal data,
●    Raising an objection to a negative outcome arising out of analyzing the data exclusively with automated systems,
●    Requesting compensation of loss and damage that arises out of illegal processing of personal data. 

The patient may post the request in writing to Ertuğrul Mah. Orduevi Cad. No: 2 Süleymanpaşa -  Tekirdağ or e-mail the request letter to info@medithrace.com. Medithrace shall issue and transfer the positive or negative response in writing or electronically pursuant to the above mentioned requests, provided the grounds of negative response are notified. The Patient undertakes that the details subject to this Information Policy are complete, correct and up-to-date and that they will be immediately updated in case of any change Medithrace shall assume no responsibility, if up-to-date information is not notified by the Patient.

Duration of Storage for Personal Data


Medithrace shall store the personal data notified by the Patient for the interval that the Services are actually delivered in order to fulfill liabilities set in this Information Policy, hereby, and arise out of the content of Services to help the Patient use the Services.

Our Measures and Commitments for Data Security

Pursuant to provisions set by relevant legislation or mentioned in this Information Policy, Medithrace commits to take necessary technical and administrative measures to ensure appropriate level of security in order to prevent illegal access to the personal data and/or illegal data processing.
Possible Changes in Information Policy
Medithrace shall be entitled to amend provisions of this Information Policy at any time, provided the amended policy is accessible at the Web Site, www.medithrace.com. The amendments made in the Information Policy by Medithrace shall be put into force immediately after the amended provisions are publicized.

By signing the declaration and consent document, I agree and state that I received the information and consent document, I read and understood the content and my personal data is processed, used and disclosed to third parties if necessary for my potential treatment.

UP