The deaths of 10 newborns in Turkey have deeply shaken public confidence in the country's health care system. Burcu Gokdeniz, a 32-year-old mother, was devastated when her premature son, Umut Ali, who initially appeared healthy, died in neonatal intensive care just 10 days after birth. The grief-stricken mother described seeing her son wrapped in a shroud as the most harrowing experience of her life.
Gokdeniz is one of hundreds of parents now seeking justice following accusations of neglect and malpractice against 47 medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, and ambulance drivers. The charges stem from the deaths of 10 newborns over the past year. Prosecutors allege that these health care workers engaged in fraudulent practices for profit, which included falsifying records and extending hospital stays unnecessarily, endangering newborns and leading to tragic outcomes.
Turkey’s health care system, a mix of public and private institutions, promises universal coverage for its citizens, with the government reimbursing private facilities when public hospitals are at capacity. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's administration has supported private health care growth to improve nationwide access. However, the scandal has exposed severe vulnerabilities, particularly for newborn care, sparking protests and a wave of petitions for investigations.
Prosecutors are seeking up to 583 years of prison time for Dr. Firat Sari, who oversaw multiple neonatal units and is charged with serious crimes, including negligence and document forgery. The indictment accuses Sari and others of exploiting neonatal care for financial gain and failing to provide adequate treatment, with some hospitals reportedly lacking necessary staff, equipment, or medicine. Audio transcripts included in the case indicate that medical workers manipulated records to cover up mistakes and prolong patient stays.
One nurse testified that Sari left critical patient care in the hands of inadequately trained staff, while another accused an ambulance driver of transferring babies to ill-equipped facilities purely for profit. Dr. Esin Koc, president of the Turkey Neonatology Association, noted that staffing issues in some private hospitals had been documented in past inspections.
Parents like Ozan Eskici, who lost his son after an intensive care admission in 2019, are now re-evaluating the assurances they once trusted. Lawyer Ali Karaoglan, who initially represented Sari, has since withdrawn, and authorities have shut down several implicated hospitals. The opposition has called for these facilities to be nationalized, and Erdogan has vowed severe punishment for those responsible, while urging caution against tarnishing the entire health care system.
For affected families, the fallout has been profound. Gokdeniz now sees the scandal as confirmation of her worst fears, while Eskici is haunted by the promises made by Sari, which now feel hollow. Sibel Kosal, who lost her daughter Zeynep in 2017, expressed a plea for action, emphasizing her shattered faith in the health care system and her constant worry for her surviving children.
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