
Rising Newborn Mortality: Scandals in the Health System
What has been happening in Turkey recently neonatal deaths The scandal has deeply shaken the public and damaged trust in the health system. As stated by Dr. Alpay Azap, President of the Turkish Medical Association, the reasons behind this situation should be examined in detail. Commercial gangs, lack of inspections and subcontracting practices in the health sector are important factors in the increase in neonatal deaths.
Private Hospitals and Lack of Supervision
Private hospitals control mechanisms remains weak. The amendments to the Private Hospitals Law No. 2219 have reduced the responsibilities of hospitals and caused penal sanctions to be inadequate. Dr. Azap emphasizes that the conversion of the crime of non-compliance with the decisions of the responsible director to a fine in 2014 is a significant obstacle to the elimination of deficiencies in hospitals. Despite the detection of these deficiencies, the hospitals' application to the courts for an extension of time delays the resolution of the problems.
Increase in Neonatal Intensive Care Beds
With the Social Security Institution starting to receive services from private hospitals in 2008, Number of neonatal intensive care beds has increased rapidly. Today, the number of neonatal intensive care beds in private hospitals exceeds the total number of beds in the Ministry of Health and university hospitals. However, this situation remains a serious problem as the 2017% limitation introduced in 30 is constantly postponed in licensed private hospitals.
Subcontracting Practices and Their Effects
Another important cause of neonatal deaths is are subcontractor applications. Private health institutions are asking doctors to establish their own companies and issue service invoices, which violates doctors' labor rights. Instead of working for a payroll, doctors are positioned as subcontractors, which relieves hospitals of their responsibilities. Although it is prohibited to subcontract work, except for jobs that require expertise, according to the Labor Law, such practices continue.
Interviews with Victim Families
Dr. Osman Küçükosmanoğlu, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Istanbul Medical Chamber, emphasizes the importance of interviews with victim families. These interviews will help to better understand the problems experienced and develop solution proposals. Private hospitals in Istanbul exceed the number of public and university hospitals, and this situation brings with it the employment of unqualified personnel. Lack of education and insecure working conditions negatively affect the quality of health services.
Inadequate Supervision of Private Hospitals
Private hospitals inadequate supervision, paves the way for an increase in neonatal deaths. The Ministry of Health and other relevant institutions need to establish a more effective control mechanism on private hospitals. This will both ensure that hospitals fulfill their responsibilities and increase patient safety.
Doctors' Rights and Working Conditions
Improving the working conditions of physicians and protecting their rights will increase the quality of the health system. Ending subcontracting practices, ensuring job security for physicians and creating appropriate working conditions will be important steps in the field of health. Therefore, it is essential to review health policies and make the necessary reforms.
As a result
The increase in neonatal deaths is not only a health problem, but also a social crisis. Such scandals in the health system affect every segment of society. All stakeholders must make a joint effort to solve these problems. Right