Journal of Research on History of Medicine

Journal of Research on History of Medicine

Health Diplomacy in the Late Ottoman Era: The 1892 Medical Mission from Istanbul to Iran during the Cholera Outbreak

Document Type : Conference Paper

Authors
Narges Tajik 1, 2
Mohammad Hossein Ayati 1
1 Department of History of Medicine, School of Persian Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2 Scientific Student Association of History of Medicine, Pharmacy, and Veterinary, Student Scientific Researcher Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
10.30476/rhm.2025.108954.1376
Abstract
This study examines the 1892 Ottoman medical mission dispatched from Istanbul to Iran during a devastating cholera outbreak, based on a historical document dated 6 Safar 1310 AH (30 August 1892). The document provides valuable insight into how the Ottoman authorities organized and executed a cross-border health intervention that combined medical, humanitarian, and diplomatic objectives. By sending physicians and pharmacists equipped with treatments, the Ottoman Empire sought not only to alleviate suffering but also to reinforce regional ties, project soft power, and fulfill religious and ethical obligations of charity and solidarity. The analysis highlights how this mission exemplified the intersection of health and diplomacy in the late Ottoman period, reflecting both organized public health response and strategic foreign policy considerations. This case contributes to our understanding of the historical foundations of health diplomacy and demonstrates its enduring relevance for contemporary global health governance.
Keywords
Diplomacy
Public Health
Medical Missions
Global Health
Ottoman Empire
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Journal of Research on History of Medicine
Volume 14, Suppl. 1
The 2nd History of Medicine Meeting: Entangled Histories: Contribution of Iran and Türkiye to the Development of Medical Sciences; 2025 Oct 7-10; Shiraz, Iran
October 2025
Pages 85-90