TTB President Fincancı: If there is no legislation, doctors will go on a strike

The Turkish Medical Association (TTB) has ended the “White Vigil” action, which began on January 26 with a press release in front of Parliament, in order to bring the regulation that covers healthcare professionals’ rights to the Parliament. The banner “Our personal rights should be given, the law to prohibit violence in health should be enacted” was unfurled during the demonstration held in front of the Assembly’s Çankaya Gate. Doctors frequently shouted slogans such as “This is just the beginning, we will keep fighting,” and “TTB is here, where is the minister?”

The action was supported by many deputies from the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) and the Republican People’s Party (CHP), as well as representatives from non-governmental groups.

TTB Central Council President Şebnem Korur Fincancı made a statement on behalf of healthcare professionals, saying that they will continue to declare “Our Labour, Our Word” until their rights are granted till March 14.

‘THE DOCTORS WITH THE LOWEST SALARIES ARE IN THIS COUNTRY’

Fincancı stated that the doctors with the lowest salaries in the world are in Turkey, and that they are in front of the Parliament with chambers of doctors from all across Turkey.

Fincancı stated, “Today, the number of doctors who migrated abroad has increased 24 times in the last 10 years, and 197 doctors applied to the Turkish Medical Association for a work abroad certificate in just one month, which is three times higher than 2012.” She pointed out that private hospitals increase political power profits while ignoring the personal rights of health professionals. We are here to say that it is more than three times the total number of applications received for the entire year.”

‘THEY DIED BECAUSE NO SCIENTIFIC MEASURES HAD BEEN TAKEN’

Fincancı added that Turkey is at the top of the list in terms of doctor’s deaths and disease due to Covid-19, because the government and the Ministry of Health did not take any scientific measures during the outbreak and also repealed the measures that were put in place.

Fincancı announced a strike on February 8 if no legislation is submitted before Parliament, saying, “Those who do not want to hear or see us; it is our obligation to give our answer to the government, which set their eyes on our labor, our rights, and our right to health, on 8 February. And they should be aware that this is the last one-day task we will undertake in support of our labor and our rights. We will continue to shout, “Our Labour, Our Word,’ and we will fight for our rights until we get them, especially before March 14.”