Health Diplomacy in the Late Ottoman Era: The 1892 Medical Mission From Istanbul to Iran During the Cholera Outbreak Publisher



Tajik N ; Ayati MH
Source: Journal of Research on History of Medicine Published:2025

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the 1892 Ottoman medical mission dispatched from Istanbul to Iran during a devastating cholera outbreak, based on a historical document dated 6 Safar 1310 AH (30 August 1892).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. © Journal of Research on History of Medicine..