What's happened
The trial of Dr. Firat Sari and 46 others has commenced in Istanbul, accused of transferring healthy newborns to private hospitals for unnecessary treatments to defraud social security. The case has led to public outrage and calls for greater oversight of Turkey's healthcare system, with at least 10 infant deaths linked to the alleged malpractice.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Andrew Wilks from The Independent, Dr. Firat Sari, the main defendant, faces up to 583 years in prison for his role in the scandal, which has led to the closure of several implicated hospitals. The South China Morning Post highlights that the defendants allegedly falsified medical reports to justify unnecessary treatments, resulting in at least 10 infant deaths. The public's reaction has been intense, with protests demanding accountability and systemic reform in Turkey's healthcare system. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has promised severe punishment for those responsible, emphasizing the need to avoid generalizing the issue to the entire healthcare system.
How we got here
The scandal emerged last month, revealing a network of private hospital staff accused of conspiring to keep healthy infants in intensive care for financial gain. Investigations began in May 2023, leading to public outcry and demands for accountability in Turkey's healthcare system.
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Turkey, officially the Republic of Turkey, is a transcontinental country located mainly on the Anatolian peninsula in Western Asia, with a smaller portion on the Balkan peninsula in Southeastern Europe.