Turkey's first heart transplant surgeon laid to rest

ISTANBUL 

Funeral prayers were held in Istanbul on Friday for a medical pioneer, Turkey’s first surgeon to perform a heart transplant.

Kemal Bayazit, 89, passed away Wednesday at age 89.

Bayazit performed Turkey's first heart transplant in 1968, a half-century ago, in Ankara, the nation's capital.

Friday saw two memorial ceremonies for Bayazit, the first in front of Istanbul Baskent University Hospital in the morning, and a later one in front of Siyami Ersek Hospital, which Bayazit help found.

After the ceremonies, funeral prayers were held at Sakirin Mosque in Istanbul.

His wife Muserref, daughters Emel and Itir, as well as relatives, colleagues, and students were among those who attended the funeral.

Bayazit passed away due to multiple organ failure.

*Writing by Burak Bir