Izmir Health Platform: We Renewed Our Demands in Midwives and Nurses Week
The Izmir Health Platform drew attention to the rights of healthcare workers with a press release it made on the occasion of Midwives and Nurses Week. It emphasized the problems experienced in healthcare services by saying, “We will not give up our struggle until we get our rights.” This statement was made in front of the Atatürk Training and Research Hospital and included important information about the difficulties experienced by healthcare workers.
Transformation in Health and the Problem of Burnout
SES İzmir Branch 1 President Hava Akcan drew attention to the problems brought about by the transformation in healthcare and stated that healthcare workers have reached burnout levels. The deep problems experienced by the healthcare system victimize both patients and healthcare workers. Akcan, who said, “All healthcare workers are burnt out,” emphasized the difficulties faced by nurses and midwives. The impositions of incompetent managers and mandatory overtime practices have exhausted employees.
Demand for Humane Working Conditions
Akcan stated that humane working conditions were not provided. Healthcare workers who work under long working hours, forced labor and pressure stated that they could not provide a healthy service under these conditions. He said, “In this period when the health system is struggling, what use are the Health and Safety Committees established by the Ministry of Health?” and expressed that the necessary steps were not taken to protect employees.
Negative Effects of Trade in Healthcare
The increase in commercialization in health has become a factor that threatens public health. Akcan stated that city hospitals are far from the public and the problems of the health system are growing exponentially. He emphasized that preventive health services have been destroyed and health centers have been closed. He stated that the blockage of the health system has increased the pressure on health workers.
Struggle to Fulfill Our Demands
Emphasizing the need to protect the profession on the occasion of May 12 Nurses Day and Week, Akcan stated that they will continue to fight for their demands to be met. The demands of the Izmir Health Platform are listed as follows:
- The personnel shortage must be addressed immediately.
- More than 5 nights of night duty per month should be banned.
- All additional payments should be reflected in salary and retirement.
- Night shifts should be considered as double shifts and paid according to working hours.
- Night work should be banned from the day the pregnancy test is positive.
- Pregnant personnel should be withdrawn from emergency and intensive care units.
- Clinics should be provided with 24-hour support staff.
- Let's give 5 year depreciation allowance for every 1 years.
- The problems of employees working in Family Health Centers regarding wages, status and work areas should be solved.
Fighting Together for the Future of Healthcare Workers
The Izmir Health Platform will continue to defend the rights of healthcare workers to improve the healthcare system. Every step taken to improve the quality of healthcare services, increase employee motivation and protect public health will benefit healthcare workers and society. Therefore, the demands of healthcare workers should not be ignored and the necessary measures should be taken as soon as possible.
All stakeholders must cooperate to protect public health, ensure the sustainability of the health system, and defend the rights of healthcare workers. İzmir Health Platform will continue to be the voice of healthcare workers and defend their rights.
