Turkish Health Workers Protest Rights Losses, Poor Conditions

Health workers in Istanbul gathered outside the Provincial Health Directorate to protest what they describe as "systematic rights losses" and harsh working conditions. The demonstration also served to commemorate Dr. Ekrem Karakaya, a colleague who was fatally shot while on duty on July 6, 2022.

“

Karakaya's loss is one of the most painful symbols of the dire extent of violence in healthcare. However, unfortunately, health workers today are not only fighting violence but also another form of violence due to the wrong health policies implemented and heavy working conditions, fighting systematic rights loss.

Dr. Nahide Toksan, Vice President of the Istanbul Family Medicine Association (İSTAHED), read a joint statement highlighting that health professionals are battling not only violence but also a form of "systematic rights loss" stemming from flawed health policies and demanding working conditions. "Karakaya's loss is one of the most painful symbols of the dire extent of violence in healthcare," Toksan stated.

“

This regulation has turned into an economic and professional catastrophe, especially for our colleagues who have to undergo long-term treatment.

Family medicine practitioners are experiencing escalating rights losses and grievances due to successive regulations issued by the Ministry of Health. The recently implemented "Family Medicine Payment and Contract Regulation" ties approximately 65% of their monthly income to performance criteria. This has created an "economic and professional catastrophe," especially for those treating patients with long-term illnesses.

“

No health worker will remain silent while those fighting illness are punished with their salary and contract.

Toksan explained that colleagues battling cancer, severe chronic diseases, and serious health issues first lose two-thirds of their income. Subsequently, their contracts are terminated for exceeding 180 days of sick leave, and current regulations prevent them from returning to family medicine for two years. Ebe Melike Sigeze of the Birlik ve Dayanışma Sendikası added, "No health worker will remain silent while those fighting illness are punished with their salary and contract." İSTAHED President Dr. Sercan Ahmet Uluç criticized the ministry for terminating contracts of doctors and nurses who were unable to work for 180 days due to illness, calling it an unprecedented and absurd practice.

“

The Ministry of Health achieved a first in the world 7 months ago here again; we said our salaries were cut because the patient did not apply to us. The Ministry has once again signed a practice unprecedented in the world, terminating the contracts of 3 doctors and 1 nurse friends because they had cancer, brain hemorrhage and could not work for 180 days.