Although of Azerbaijani descent, Husrev Hatemi was born in Istanbul, Turkey in 1938. After finishing the Ataturk school for boys in 1956, he entered Istanbul University and graduated as a Doctor of Medicine in 1962. In 1962, he entered Tedavi Clinical University, and as a result of his thesis, “Diabetes and Coagulations,” received the degree of Professor of Internal Diseases in 1966.
In 1963, Hatemi married Sezer Geze, now Professor Dr. Sezer Hatemi, and they have two children named Aybike Hatemi Teubes and Ibrahim Hatemi. Aybike Hatemi is a sociologist, and Ibrahim Hatemi is a specialist of internal diseases and Candidate of Gastroenterology science.
In 1969, in Hamburg, Germany, he was working in the radio-immune laboratory of Saar Medical facility. In 1977, and later in 1986, Hatemi finished courses in Endocrinology at Hammersmith Postgraduate Medical School in London, England.
From 1999-2000, he was the head of the Department of History of Turkish Medicine, and from 2000-2005, he was the Chancellor of the Medical Academy of Turkey. Hatemi is also the author of many scientific works and magazines.
Beginning in 2000 he worked in Istanbul in the “Universal Group” German Hospital as a Professor of Internal Diseases and Endocrinology. Despite the fact that he has never been to his fatherland, he is fluent in Azeri, and familiar with many classical poets of Azerbaijan, such like Nizami, Fizuli, Mirza Elekber Sabir and others.
After gaining independence, a lot of Azerbaijani people went to different European countries for medical inspection and treatment. In the hospital where Hatemi works, he creates a favorable atmosphere for the patients. While doing a check-up, he distracts and cheers up the patients from Baku by telling tales and poems of different Azerbaijani poets. He not only asks questions about their health, but also about Azerbaijan to make sure that Azerbaijani people still follow their traditions, culture, and customs even after the long-term Soviet regime.
When he is free in the evenings, he likes to watch Azeri TV programs where young people compete in singing mugam. He observes how masters of mugam like Alibaba Mammadov, Janali Elekberov, and Arif Babayev care for the works of young people who treat their masters with respect. Hatemi ascertains that a sense of great respect still exists in Azerbaijan.
In answer to the question, “when will you come to Azerbaijan?”, he answers laughing, “when God permits it.” Hatemi has little free time as people from all over the world book appointments with him three to four months in advance.
God bless you, Doctor.
