Turkey's health ministry has fined more than 100 obstetrician-gynaecologists for carrying out Caesarian sections, suspending them from duty and forcing them to undergo training, according to a report by BirGun newspaper. The country has the highest rate of C-section births among the OECD's 38 nations, with around 615 such procedures out of every 1,000 live births in 2023.
Government Campaign Against High C-Section Rates
The Turkish government began a campaign last year to tackle falling birthrates under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's 'Decade of the Family' initiative. This campaign has seen greater control over how women give birth, with a particular focus on reducing elective C-section births. In April 2025, the government banned such procedures at private healthcare facilities without medical justification.
Doctors Fined and Suspended
According to BirGun, more than 100 doctors have been fined for performing C-sections, citing figures provided by medical associations across the country. This has sparked a backlash from healthcare professionals. The Antalya Chamber of Physicians reported that obstetricians had been 'issued with warnings, subjected to disciplinary investigations, temporarily suspended from practising, and compelled to attend antenatal training courses, on the grounds of high caesarean section rates across the country'.
Case of Dismissed Obstetrician
Diken news website cited the case of an obstetrician working at a private hospital in Sakarya near Istanbul, who was dismissed at the request of the health ministry on grounds of a high rate of C-sections. The doctor was then suspended for six months, during which they would need to undergo training at a state hospital and sit an exam. Only if successful, would they be able to resume practising medicine.
Criticism from Medical Associations
Dr Ayse Gultekingil, a top official at the Turkish Medical Association (TTB), told BirGun that penalising doctors would not solve the problem of Turkey's high Caesarian rate, which was'structural'. 'Turkey's caesarean birth rate exceeds 60 percent. But the method of delivery reflects various problems within Turkey's healthcare system,' she said.
Why This Matters
The high rate of C-section births in Turkey highlights broader issues within the country's healthcare system. For Bangladesh, which also faces challenges in maternal healthcare, understanding Turkey's approach and its implications can provide valuable insights. The fines and suspensions of doctors underscore the government's commitment to reducing elective C-sections, but also raise questions about the effectiveness of such measures and the potential impact on medical professionals and patients alike.
