09.12.2025 00:18
The structure, considered to be the world's oldest hospital built by Saint Basil in Kayseri between 368-373 AD, which provided free patient care and inpatient treatment, is waiting to be recognized by history. Historian and author Halit Erkiletlioğlu stated, "The entire island needs to be subjected to a thorough archaeological excavation. The shanty houses on it need to be removed. We are at a very important point for world history. There are a significant amount of resources."
After the earthquake that occurred between 368-373 in the Melikgazi district of Kayseri, Saint Basil built a hospice, soup kitchen, and hospital in the city.
CONSIDERED THE WORLD'S FIRST HOSPITAL The hospital provided inpatient treatment, free care, and services from renowned physicians. This structure, which is considered the world's first hospital under these conditions and has only some remnants today, is waiting to be recognized in history.
SHANTIES HAVE BEEN BUILT ON IT Historian and author Halit Erkiletlioğlu stated that the shanties built on it need to be removed and a comprehensive excavation work should be carried out in the area, saying, "The entire island needs to be subjected to archaeological excavation in a thorough manner. The shanties on it need to be removed."
"PEOPLE WERE MORE OFTEN TREATED IN TEMPLES" Erkiletlioğlu continued his remarks as follows: "We are in front of the world's oldest hospital, which was established in 5 years between 368-373, right in front of the city gates. Why is it the world's oldest hospital? Were there no hospitals before this? There were. In the times of the Sumerians and Hittites, people were treated more in temples. The priests there tried to heal with certain spells, charms, herbs, and medicines. Later, there were military hospitals called 'Valetudinarium' in Rome. They only performed surgical interventions. They did not care for the civilian population. That is, injuries from spears, arrow wounds, etc."
"PROFESSIONAL PHYSICIANS WORKED HERE" Explaining the reason why the structure is considered the oldest hospital, Erkiletlioğlu stated, "Basilios is an important clergyman of Orthodox Christianity. After an earthquake during his time, he first built a hospice, then a soup kitchen, and later this hospital to help the people of Kayseri. The conditions for this hospital to be the world's first hospital are as follows: first, it is an inpatient treatment institution. The previous ones were not inpatient treatment institutions. They admitted patients. Second, they provide free treatment. Third, Basilios wrote 366 letters to the generals, governors, and 2 emperors of that time to request support for the city and invited physicians here. Therefore, professional physicians from within Byzantium worked here," he expressed.
"METHODS OF TREATMENT BY HIPPOCRATES AND GALEN ARE APPLIED" Stating that the structure is significant in terms of world history, Erkiletlioğlu said, "This hospital is accepted as the world's first hospital under these conditions. There are many sources in this regard. The Gevher Nesibe Hospital was built approximately 834 years after this date, in 1206. We said this was built between 368-373. There is an 800-year difference. Gevher Nesibe is the first hospital and medical faculty in Anatolia side by side. There is no medical faculty here. This is a hospital. They invited famous doctors here. The caregiving duties are performed by volunteer priests and nuns. The methods of treatment by Hippocrates and Galen are applied in the world's first hospital. The entire island needs to be subjected to archaeological excavation in a thorough manner. The shanties on it need to be removed. We are at a very important point for world history. There are a large number of sources. There is a church historian from that period named Sozomenes, who has writings related to this place. Saint Basilios has 366 letters, some of which mention this place," he said.