Family doctors to go on one-day strike

AKSARAY – Cihan News Agency

DHA Photo

Doctors across Turkey working as family doctors in local health centers will go on strike today at 12 p.m., in protest at the "on-duty" system.

The doctors, who were appointed to the local health centers as part of a new law, previously did not have to be on-duty during out of work hours. However, a recent amendment to the regulations stipulated that they would now also be included in the on-duty system for nearby hospitals.

Health Minister Mehmet Müezzinoğlu said on Dec. 11 that family doctors must have the same responsibilities as other doctors and should be on-duty in the emergency services of hospitals.

Regarding the strike, Müezzinoğlu said the decision had been accepted by "only a few doctors."

The measure, known as the Full-Day Law, has been widely criticized, as many argue it would have a negative effect on public hospitals because thousands of doctors, including those holding academic positions, would have to choose between their private clinic and a public institution.

The law, which came into effect on April 18, gave doctors holding academic positions three months to close their private clinic if they had one, otherwise their contract with public and university hospitals would be canceled.