The “Newborn Gang” scandal, which has caused a major stir in Turkey’s healthcare sector, has raised numerous questions. Both Minister of Health Kemal Memişoğlu and Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan, while responding to questions and providing evaluations at the AA’s Editor’s Desk, virtually revealed the depth of the incident.
Minister of Health Memişoğlu’s Statements
Minister of Health Kemal Memişoğlu provided important insights into the activities of the “Newborn Gang,” including the background of the incident and the connections to various hospitals. Regarding the claims that he had a photo with the head physician of the involved hospital, Minister Memişoğlu stated that the photo was taken in July 2023. He mentioned that the gang had just begun to be investigated around that time, and he frequently took photos while visiting hospitals.
Minister Memişoğlu emphasized that if the closure of a hospital was necessary, regardless of personal relationships, he would take the required actions: “I have closed my minister’s hospital, and I have closed my friend’s hospital as well. If it’s necessary, whether it’s my brother, my minister, or my friend, I will do what needs to be done.”
Furthermore, Memişoğlu addressed comments circulating on social media about whether the intention was to kill the children involved. He clarified that while he did not believe the individuals involved intended to kill the children, he acknowledged that negligence had led to fatalities. He stated, “In my personal opinion, I don’t think they had the intention to kill the children, but there was negligence and bad faith.” He further stated that responsibility for these deaths rested with those individuals.
Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan’s Statements
Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan, in his evaluation of the “Newborn Gang” incident, pointed out that the inspections in the healthcare sector had increased and that more abuses might come to light. Işıkhan emphasized the threat this issue posed to the healthcare system and underlined the need to prevent such incidents in the future.
In his remarks on occupational health and safety, Işıkhan stated that the problem was systemic and that any situation threatening the safety of the public must be addressed. The Minister highlighted the importance of strengthening inspections to prevent further incidents and abuses.
Public Response and Future Steps
Both ministers stressed that malpractice and negligence in the healthcare sector could lead to severe consequences. Memişoğlu said, “We will do everything to remain healthy and stand against any situation that threatens the health of our people,” while Işıkhan added, “Ensuring justice in healthcare is a right for every individual. We will establish a more effective inspection system for this.”