As we observe developments in the healthcare sector, I am saddened to see that the ground for debate is shifting and that the doctors are being drawn into the ministry's trap.
At a time when legal regulations are being discussed to remove the exam requirement for specialty training in medical schools in our country, the ministry has succeeded in shifting the discussion to salaries and full-time work, thereby removing the main issue from the agenda.
Unfortunately, in the debate over doctors' salaries, an unpleasant attitude has emerged that devalues every statement made by doctors, based on the figures being bandied about.
Of course, the ministry announces that full-time work has been introduced. The timing makes one wonder if someone is speaking softly but carrying a big stick.
On the day of the protests, Minister Hakan Dinçyürek's show with freelance doctors went beyond speaking softly but carrying a big stick, and reflected a ridiculous situation.
Following these developments, I thought that the mistake of drawing health-related discussions to salaries would be avoided. Yet, unfortunately, I see that this tendency is continuing and increasing.
In his latest statement, Dinçyürek said, “As the Ministry of Health, our approach is clear: we will act without confronting doctors, without victimizing the public, and without reducing the system down to individuals.” Looking at the big picture, I can only say: I hope that will be the case from now on.
While criticizing the Ministry for shifting the ground for debate, I would also like to point out that I am not opposed to the transition to full-time work in healthcare. Healthcare is always embedded in a bundle of problems. In addition to the infrastructure deficiencies created by the budget allocated to healthcare, poor healthcare management and, unfortunately, the approach of some doctors to patients—which push the patients towards private hospitals—are parts of insurmountable problems. We all have such experiences.
I don't worry about the salaries doctors receive, but I don't think people like the union president Özlem Gürkut, who do their job well, are getting what they deserve for their efforts. What's even more painful is that I see the fact that half of the doctors working in public hospitals are on contract as a result of the budget savings mentality. An administration with this mentality must first inspire confidence. If I were a doctor, I would not work full-time under the current conditions; I would resign.
As I reached the end of the article, I realized that I had also fallen into the trap. I expressed my views on the shifting ground, but I must return to the main topic.
Competence is an important factor in healthcare. In an environment where we see young people who have not even touched a tooth since graduating from dental school being sent to work as interns alongside dentists, claims that the planned exam requirement for specialization will be removed alarm me.
This article was originally published on 10.02.2026
