ISTANBUL (AP) — A trial has commenced in Istanbul involving 47 individuals, including doctors, nurses, and an ambulance driver, who stand accused of causing the deaths of 10 infants as part of an alleged scheme to defraud Turkey’s social security system.
The defendants are alleged to have transferred babies to neonatal units of 19 private hospitals, where the infants were reportedly subjected to prolonged and sometimes unnecessary treatments. Tragically, at least 10 newborns are said to have lost their lives in the past year due to neglect or malpractice in facilities ill-equipped to provide adequate care.
Prosecutors claim that the defendants falsified reports to exaggerate the babies’ conditions in order to secure payments from the social security institution.
The main defendant, Dr. Firat Sari, who managed neonatal intensive care units in several private hospitals in Istanbul, faces serious charges including establishing an organization to commit a crime, defrauding public institutions, forgery of official documents, and homicide by negligence. If convicted, Dr. Sari could potentially face a sentence of up to 583 years in prison.
The case has sparked public outrage and calls for increased oversight of the health care system. As a result, authorities have shut down nine of the 19 hospitals implicated in the scandal and revoked their licenses.
While Dr. Sari maintains his innocence, stating that all procedures were followed correctly, over 350 families have requested investigations into the deaths of their loved ones. The case has prompted demands for the resignation of Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu, who held a key position in the health department at the time some of the deaths occurred.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has vowed severe punishment for those responsible for the deaths but cautioned against tarnishing the entire health care system due to the actions of a few individuals. He emphasized that accountability will be upheld without unfairly implicating the broader health care community.
The trial has underscored the need for greater scrutiny and accountability within the health care sector, with calls for more stringent regulations and oversight to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
