Turkish Doctors Barred From Treating People Without Government Consent

[s.rwitt]

And no, not in a "Duh, they need a license" type of way.

A controversial medical bill that makes it a crime for doctors to provide emergency first aid without government authorisation has come into force in Turkey despite an outcry from rights groups.
Under the legislation that was approved by President Abdullah Gul on Friday, those convicted could be imprisoned for up to three years and face fines of nearly $1m from January 18.

Critics fear it could be used to bar doctors and medical workers from treating protesters wounded in anti-government demonstrations as reportedly happened during mass street protests in June last year.

The US-based Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) branded the legislation another attempt by the government of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to quash dissent."Passing a bill that criminalises emergency care and punishes those who care for injured protesters is part of the Turkish government's relentless effort to silence any opposing voices," PHR senior medical adviser Vincent Iacopino said.

"This kind of targeting of the medical community is not only repugnant, but puts everyone's health at risk," he said in a statement on the PHR website.The legislation, drawn up by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), bars medical professionals from working outside state health institutions and is aimed at preventing doctors from setting up private clinics for example.

Medical professionals who break the law would face up to three years in prison and be fined up to $985,000 (728,000 euros).Political protesters

Last month, the United Nations had also raised concerns about the bill and urged the government to reconsider it.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe...840694702.html


Turkey has passed a law that will penalize doctors for...well, being doctors...if the government decides that the people they're treating shouldn't receive care. The bill has been criticized by the UN as well as human rights groups both inside and outside of Turkey who suspect that the bill is meant to prevent doctors from treating the injuries of those injured during protests or clashes with police. What is the government's explanation? Do they even care to give one?

[Earl Dibbles Jr]

I guess this is what happens when you give the government too much control.

Sadly, I could see this easily starting to spread to Western governments with the attitude of big government that is so prevalent today.

Want to voice your opinion? Go ahead, we just won't care about your well being.

[Pīrūz Nahavandi]

Dat escalation.

[John ''True Grit'' Wayne]

Political protesters

When the cops beat you up and put you in a cell it must be illegal to let a doctor see you.That is barbaric.Inhuman and against Islamic doctrine as to how to treat prisoners.
What about in war are they going to treat prisoners with doctors then.I assume a regular GP would not be able to judge if a guy was beaten up by cops or mugged in the street so could still treat people.I suggest a 8 week first aid course for all protesters.We should support them with weapons like Syria.

[Roma_Victrix]

What an enormously stupid piece of legislation. It not only flies in the face of the spirit of the Hippocratic Oath, but it marginalizes ALL health care professionals and, as we may see, simply add more to the ranks of the disaffected by encouraging said professionals to side with the opposition. Erdogan's government has really taken it a step too far this time. Funnily enough, though, it's a move that may prove to be a gunshot to his own foot. On a final note, I extend my utmost sincere sympathies to those who recently marched in Istanbul and elsewhere in Turkey; they were an inspiration.

[Adar]

Everything Erdogan does only serves to make me appreciate the countries which stalled the Turkish EU negotiations. It is a country with huge potential but under the current regime it is not fit for the EU.

[white-wolf]

Everything Erdogan does only serves to make me appreciate the countries which stalled the Turkish EU negotiations. It is a country with huge potential but under the current regime it is not fit for the EU.

Ironically, his party and regime is the one which had done the utmost to integrate EU norms in Turkey. That is why he got liberals and democrats votes. However he became more authorian and stalled the implementation of EU norms. He will loose some votes, how much I do not know. His luck is that after 2000s, there is no more any central and right wing parties left. He consalidated the votes of conservatives, right wingers, centralist and liberals at past.

[Adar]

Ironically, his party and regime is the one which had done the utmost to integrate EU norms in Turkey. That is why he got liberals and democrats votes. However he became more authorian and stalled the implementation of EU norms. He will loose some votes, how much I do not know. His luck is that after 2000s, there is no more any central and right wing parties left. He consalidated the votes of conservatives, right wingers, centralist and liberals at past.

Yeah, the whole situation is confusing to an outsider as he in some cases is very progressive and in other cases make me very worried.

[white-wolf]

Yeah, the whole situation is confusing to an outsider as he in some cases is very progressive and in other cases make me very worried.

Do not worry. Turkish society will topple him if he goes more to "other cases". Already he lost some partition of his vote base. He lost the liberals, and he lost some from conservative base due to his fight with "Hizmet" (aka Gülen) movement.

[Stavroforos]

Do not worry. Turkish society will topple him if he goes more to "other cases". Already he lost some partition of his vote base. He lost the liberals, and he lost some from conservative base due to his fight with "Hizmet" (aka Gülen) movement.

I think his failed attempt at creating a new Constitution was what exposed him to everyone as an authoritarian who just wants his own interests and those of his party to take precedence.

[Yosemite]

Everything Erdogan does only serves to make me appreciate the countries which stalled the Turkish EU negotiations. It is a country with huge potential but under the current regime it is not fit for the EU.

even if it's fit i hope turkey never joins the eurotitanic

[Stavroforos]

I'm sure some of our Turkish members who defend anything Turkey does will find some good excuse for this.

In any case, it's sad that Erdogan and his party have been steering Turkey in this direction, so hopefully we'll have the situation balance out when his term is over.

[white-wolf]

Not to defend this, but this is for only prevent doctors (or such) not to set up shop (rather encrouge to use normal emergency services) in events similar to Gezi Park events. Of course, no one can prevent doctors to giving emergency aid when any emergency occurs. On this case I am neutral.

[Garbarsardar]

And no, not in a "Duh, they need a license" type of way.

Is it in a "Duh, they are not Samuel Mudd" type of way?

[Heinz Guderian]

And no, not in a "Duh, they need a license" type of way.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe...840694702.html


Turkey has passed a law that will penalize doctors for...well, being doctors...if the government decides that the people they're treating shouldn't receive care. The bill has been criticized by the UN as well as human rights groups both inside and outside of Turkey who suspect that the bill is meant to prevent doctors from treating the injuries of those injured during protests or clashes with police. What is the government's explanation? Do they even care to give one?

It criminalises certain aspects of emergency care. The problem is Article 33 of the bill. It still allows Turkish doctors who are around to treat emergencies UNTIL the arrival of a "formal" health response team - in the field that would be an ambulance. All hospitals would still be considered formal health response.

So lets say you are at a protest - and you get hit by a rock - any Turkish doctor around can still treat you - i dont know how unless he is carrying his bag/other stuff UNTIL an ambulance arrives to take over. If you get hit standing next to an ambulance - a doctor may not treat you - only the ambulance staff unless they ask the doctor to help them.

The law seems a bit silly and hard to enforce. It will just make doctors have to pay more for insurance cover. As for the passing of the bill, it was through a democratically elected system by elected representatives. Just like you guys passed that horrific crime against humanity -The Patriot Act.

[Dante Von Hespburg]

I... just don't.... get it...


...WHY!?

This legislation actually doesn't make any sense what so ever. Is it some kind of cost saving measure? 'Oh you have cancer? Well our state budgets a bit tight right now, so we can't treat you until the next financial year, assuming their's an influx of capital...keep in touch with your stock market agent for updates!'

Or is it as others have hinted at, some kind of state control in regards to those who protest? An extra layer of ' you democratic protesters?'

I genuinely thought Turkey of late was heading towards being quite an enlightened (prospectively) place?

[YuriVII]

This spits in the face of the Hippocratic oath.

[PointOfViewGun]

This is what happens when you have a party that is capable of passing any law and has the least qualified people in its ranks to make laws.

[John ''True Grit'' Wayne]

Vote them out.