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Turkish Doctors Strike Over New Regulations
Turkish family doctors staged a three-day strike protesting a new regulation they say devalues their profession and imposes unfair penalties. They threaten longer action unless the government changes the regulation.
Turkish
Turkey
HealthLabour MarketTurkeyHealthcareGovernmentStrikeDoctors
Hekim Birliği SendikasıSağlık Bakanlığı (Ministry Of Health)Aile Hekimleri Dernekleri Federasyonu (Family Physicians Associations Federation)
Özgür Öz
- What prompted the three-day strike by family doctors in Turkey?
- Family doctors in Turkey went on a three-day strike from November 5th to 7th to protest a new regulation. The regulation imposes penalties on doctors for patients' non-attendance and links their pay to patient satisfaction.
- What are the key provisions of the new family medicine regulation that doctors oppose?
- The main points of contention include penalties for patients not visiting within six months, linking pay to patient-given scores, and reduced patient-doctor ratios. Doctors also object to the perceived devaluation of their profession.
- What actions are family doctors considering if the government doesn't meet their demands?
- The Turkish Medical Association and the Health Ministry have been in talks; however, no immediate resolution has been reached. Doctors are prepared for extended strike action or mass resignation if the ministry does not concede.
- What are the main demands of the Hekim Birliği Sendikası regarding the new regulations?
- The Hekim Birliği Sendikası (Physicians' Union) is advocating for improvements in working conditions, increased funding for healthcare, and fairer compensation for family doctors. They presented six specific demands to the Health Ministry.
- What was the immediate impact of the three-day strike, and what could a longer strike mean?
- The strike impacted healthcare access for many, causing delays and potential disruptions to patient care. The impact is likely to be more profound should longer-term strike action occur.