Urgent Warning from Tıp-İş: Emergency Departments are in Crisis

Tıp-İş emphasized that there are only six doctors working in the emergency department, where services must be available 24/7 without interruption. The doctors are working 12-hour shifts due to this demand. The union highlighted that the services provided in emergency departments cannot be delayed or postponed, as any shortcomings could result in severe disability or even death.

"No CT or MRI Machine Available at the Hospital"

As part of its visits to highlight the shortcomings in emergency services, Tıp-İş visited the Kyrenia Dr. Akçiçek State Hospital’s Emergency Department today. Tıp-İş President Özlem Gürkut held a press conference outside the emergency department.

The statement noted that the hospital, which provides secondary-level healthcare, has 63 beds in its general wards and 10 hemodialysis beds. A total of 42 doctors work at the hospital, including 18 full-time staff, 18 on contract, 5 fulfilling compulsory service, and 1 under a service procurement agreement. Additionally, 11 doctors from Nicosia’s Burhan Nalbantoğlu Hospital provide outpatient services on specific days.

The statement reiterated that between 4,000 to 5,000 patients are admitted to the Kyrenia Dr. Akçiçek Hospital’s emergency department monthly, with only six doctors on duty. Due to the uninterrupted 24/7 nature of emergency services, doctors are required to work 12-hour shifts.

"Working Conditions Leading to Burnout"

The statement highlighted that until a week ago, only one doctor was assigned per shift, but recently the number of shifts has been doubled without increasing the number of doctors. This has led to two doctors being assigned per shift. However, Tıp-İş stressed that working under such harsh conditions could lead to burnout among the doctors.

"Treating Patients Without Registration is Unacceptable in This Day and Age"

The union further pointed out that the hospital does not have a CT or MRI machine, and ultrasound services are only available during working hours. If patients in the emergency department require advanced imaging, they are transported to Nicosia by ambulance and then returned to Kyrenia. The statement also emphasized that after 11 PM, there is no staff available to register patients into the hospital’s information system, meaning that patients are treated without being officially recorded.

This situation, Tıp-İş warned, could lead to the loss of patient data, confusion or delays in test results, problems in cases requiring transfer to advanced care centers, and issues in legal or judicial processes. The statement added, "In this day and age, treating patients without registration is unacceptable."

The union also highlighted the critical importance of having sufficient auxiliary staff, including porters to transport patients and test samples, security personnel, and other support staff, in emergency departments.

"Emergency Services Cannot Be Delayed or Postponed"

Tıp-İş stressed the vital importance of triage in determining which patients need immediate care and which can wait, as some patients may be in life-threatening situations where "minutes count."

The union urged that emergency services must be provided by specialists and adequately staffed hospitals with sufficient nurses, personnel, and diagnostic and treatment facilities. They reiterated, "We remind once again that emergency services cannot be delayed or postponed, and any shortcomings or failures could result in disability or loss of life."

Finally, the union called on the Ministry of Health and the government to take immediate action to address the increasing demand and deficiencies in the healthcare system, exacerbated by the growing population and deepening poverty.