Nef Supports the Fight Against the COVID-19 Pandemic Since the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nef Foundation has actively supported nationwide response efforts by mobilizing resources to produce and supply critical medical equipment for hospitals across Türkiye. To coordinate these initiatives, the Foundation established the Nef Foundation Pandemic Advisory Board, bringing together leading academics, industrial designers, materials specialists, and mechatronics engineers. On 21 March, the Foundation launched large-scale production of essential protective equipment, including 500,000 face shields, 10,000 intubation and sample collection booths, 2,000 disinfection stations, and 100,000 antibacterial protective coveralls, helping strengthen the country’s healthcare infrastructure during one of the most challenging periods of the pandemic.
Nef Supports the Fight Against the COVID-19 Pandemic
Since the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nef Foundation has actively supported healthcare efforts across Türkiye by producing and supplying critical medical equipment for hospitals nationwide. To coordinate this initiative, the Foundation established the Nef Foundation Pandemic Advisory Board, bringing together leading physicians, industrial designers, materials specialists, and mechatronics engineers.
The Foundation launched its response immediately following the confirmation of Türkiye’s first COVID-19 case, with production officially beginning on 21 March to help protect healthcare professionals, support hospitals, and assist patients throughout the country.
Production Guided by the Nef Foundation Pandemic Advisory Board
Working closely with members of the Pandemic Advisory Board and healthcare professionals from hospitals across Türkiye, the Foundation first identified the most urgently needed equipment. Industrial designers developed prototypes, while sensitive components such as respiratory filters underwent testing in microbiology laboratories. Following successful clinical evaluations in hospitals, the Foundation moved into large-scale production.
Thanks to the expertise of its volunteer advisory team, the Nef Foundation was able to identify critical shortages and move from concept to production within the same week. Drawing on this experience, the Foundation also provided technical support to other organizations and initiatives seeking to manufacture essential medical equipment during the pandemic.
Large-Scale Medical Equipment Production
The Foundation committed to producing:
- 500,000 protective face shields
- 10,000 intubation and sample collection booths
- 2,000 disinfection stations
- 100,000 antibacterial protective coveralls
Within the first week alone, more than 340,000 pieces of medical equipment were produced and distributed to healthcare institutions throughout Türkiye. At the same time, the Foundation continued testing additional critical components—including ventilator accessories and antibacterial air filtration systems—with plans to expand production to six additional categories of essential medical supplies.
Erden Timur: “Together, We Can Overcome Every Challenge”
Commenting on the initiative, Erden Timur, Chairman of the Nef Foundation, said:
“During this difficult period, we took immediate action to protect the healthcare professionals who have been fighting tirelessly on the front lines of the pandemic. We have already begun delivering the equipment we produce to healthcare institutions across the country, and we will continue doing so. Together with our Pandemic Advisory Board, we will keep developing solutions for emerging needs and support our healthcare workers in every way we can. We firmly believe that when we stand together, we can overcome any challenge. We are confident that we will get through these difficult times together.”
A Long-Term Commitment to Social Responsibility
Since 2012, the Nef Foundation has been carrying out social responsibility projects across Türkiye. Each year, Nef donates more than half of its distributable profits to the Foundation, enabling it to support communities in need through sustainable social initiatives.
Prior to its pandemic response, the Foundation had already undertaken significant humanitarian projects, including relief efforts for earthquake victims in Elazığ and support programs for refugees at the Greek border.
Nef Foundation Pandemic Advisory Board
The project was coordinated by a multidisciplinary team consisting of healthcare professionals, engineers, designers, entrepreneurs, and project managers, including:
- Erden Timur – Chairman, Nef Foundation
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Erhan Şükür – Department of Orthopedics, Sakarya University
- Prof. Dr. İsmail Ciner – Chief Physician, Marmara University Pendik Hospital; President, Turkish Society of Intensive Care
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Hilmi Doğu – Head of Hematology, İstanbul Training and Research Hospital
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Mesut Sönmez – Chief Physician, İstanbul Haseki Training and Research Hospital
- Dr. Önder Çerezci – Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, VKV American Hospital
- Prof. Dr. Özgür Yiğit – Chief Physician, İstanbul Training and Research Hospital
- Prof. Dr. Tufan Tükek – Dean, İstanbul Faculty of Medical Sciences
- Prof. Dr. Yahya Güldiken – Department of Otorhinolaryngology, İstanbul University
- Erdem Kahraman – Industrial Designer
- Caner Durmuşoğlu – Mechatronics Engineer
- Volkan İleri – Electrical & Electronics Engineer, Nef Foundation Advisor
- Doğan Tuncel – Mechanical Engineer, Nef Foundation Advisor
- Turabi Yücel – Entrepreneur, Nef Foundation Advisor
- Murat Döker – Entrepreneur, Nef Foundation Advisor
- İlker Vardarlı – Co-Founder, 3 Boyutlu Destek
- Ramazan Subaşı – Co-Founder, 3 Boyutlu Destek
- Nuh Hakan Oflazer – Nef Foundation Project Manager
- Burhan Saral – Nef Foundation Project Manager
- Selçuk Burçak Çelik – Nef Foundation Project Manager
