Doctors in Turkey protest against increasing violence
The head of the Konya Medical Association, Bahadir Öztürk, said violence in the health sector had reached the proportions of a “massacre.”
Doctors in Turkey demonstrated in several cities across the country on Thursday against increasing violence directed towards health professionals.
The protests came after a fatal attack on a cardiologist.
Demonstrators demanded the resignation of Health Minister Fahrettin Koca, while the Turkish Medical Association (TTB) called on health staff to stop working up to Friday.
On Wednesday, the son of a patient in the south-central city of Konya shot a 47-year-old cardiologist and reportedly killed himself afterwards.
Local media reported that the perpetrator blamed the doctor for the death of his mother, who was being treated by the doctor.
According to the reports, the health minister was booed at the victim's funeral.
The head of the Konya Medical Association, Bahadir Öztürk, said violence in the health sector had reached the proportions of a "massacre."
He also blamed the government of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and accused it of populism.
He said the current situation is unacceptable and "drastic measures" must be taken to end violence against doctors.
Violence against doctors is a widespread problem in Turkey.
According to a report by the Saglik-Sen trade union, 316 health workers were attacked last year.
The association said due to the poor working conditions in the health sector and high inflation in Turkey, more and more doctors were migrating abroad.