Turkish gov’t announces hike in salaries of health personnel on eve of elections

ANKARA

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The Turkish government has announced a 50 percent increase in the on-duty fees paid to health personnel, along with other measures to improve working conditions, just a day before national Doctor’s Day and shortly before the June general elections.

“We are doing everything we can to ameliorate the working conditions of our health personnel. We would like to share some good news with you on the occasion of Doctors’ Day: We are increasing fees paid for on-duty health personnel by 50 percent,” Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said in an address to health personnel during a visit to the Health Ministry on March 12.

“Not only our doctors, but all health personnel will benefit from this hike,” Davutoğlu added.

He also announced that the retirement age will be made flexible for doctors, saying that those who wish to will be able to work until the age of 70, although the retirement age is 65.

The government has also pledged to increase security measures for health personnel, after a number of cases in which family members of patients have attacked doctors. Heavier punishments will be meted out to those who attack health personnel, Davutoğlu vowed, adding that the state will do whatever is necessary to protect and provide legal assistance to health personnel.