Bengihan: “It Is Unacceptable to Hold All Nurses Responsible for the Unfortunate Incident”

In a written statement, Bengihan criticized Health Minister Hakan Dinçyürek, asserting that the public health services, one of the state’s most important responsibilities, are deteriorating. He emphasized that the public is not receiving the quality healthcare it deserves, which adversely affects the motivation of healthcare workers.

Bengihan highlighted that the number of healthcare workers is insufficient due to uncontrolled population growth, saying, “Despite our constant warnings over the years, the disorganization within healthcare institutions is increasing.”

He remarked, “It is unacceptable to hold all our nurses accountable for the unfortunate incident that cost the life of one infant and resulted in the intubation of six others, especially when the Health Minister prioritizes his political ambitions over human life.” He added that this would be unjust to the nurses who strive to perform their duties despite all the challenges and shortcomings.

“The responsible parties will be held accountable in court”

Bengihan stated that it is not possible to rectify the healthcare system by tarnishing the reputations of nurses, who have shown great dedication during the pandemic and earned public appreciation, while ignoring the real culprits. “Everyone, from the hospital administration to the Health Minister, bears responsibility in this tragic event,” he asserted.

Claiming that the Health Minister has removed unions from the Transfer Committee that regulates nurses' relocations and has been using transfers for partisan purposes, Bengihan emphasized the necessity of establishing a healthcare system that prioritizes human life and employs healthcare workers based on needs and merit, free from partisanship, while also activating oversight mechanisms.

He argued that those who act solely to protect their positions cannot provide safe and quality services to the public, stating, “The responsible parties in this tragic incident will be held accountable in court. The Health Minister should acknowledge his responsibility in this serious incident and resign immediately.”