In recent weeks, Turkey has witnessed a scandal involving the killing of at least 12 babies as part of the subordination of the health system and public health to capitalist profit, which has sparked widespread public outrage.

The existence of a gang in Istanbul, working in partnership with people from the 112 Emergency Call Center and hospitals, who send newborn emergency patients to the neonatal units of private hospitals with which they have prior arrangements has become a hot topic in the media. media and on social media.

47 suspects, of whom 22 have been arrested, are accused of causing the death of at least 12 babies and making unfair profits from the Social Security Institution (SGK). It was announced that the licenses of 10 private hospitals were revoked as part of the investigation. The indictment against the gang was finalized on October 16.

What the investigation revealed are not only the criminal acts of malicious individuals. It also reveals the nature of the current healthcare system, which is increasingly hollowed out in a capitalist system where profit comes before human life.

On Tuesday, the Turkish Medical Association (TTB) and the Istanbul Medical Association (ITO) held a detailed press conference on the issue. TTB Central Council President Dr. Alpay Azap said: “At the point we have reached, the health system has completely collapsed. It pains us all to realize this in a very painful way with the deaths of children… What has happened is the inevitable result of the policies that have been put in place.”

Azap continued his speech as follows: “Problems in the health system cannot be solved with a band-aid approach. The health system needs to be rebuilt… We know that this problem cannot be solved by temporary measures, saying that it is the work of a group of people without morals and without conscience. We will do our best to change this system. An equal, skilled, free and accessible healthcare system is possible.”