Turkey Sanctions Over 100 Doctors Over Caesarean Deliveries
Over 100 obstetricians and gynaecologists have been licensed by Turkey’s Ministry of Health to perform Caesarean section, as the government tries to lower Turkey’s high Caesarean birth rate, triggering discussion on maternal and newborn health.
Authorities have examined the rate of Caesarean deliveries nationwide and some doctors were reportedly fined, suspended from their medical practice and ordered to undergo compulsory training.
The bans are included in President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s push to increase the number of “natural births” and limit elective cesarean deliveries. In 2023, the rate of cesarean section births in the OECD country with the highest rate was nearly 615 per 1,000 live births in Turkey.
The child’s perspective is that of importance and value for life and safety to both mother and baby should be the most important consideration in every decision made prior to birth. Unnecessary cesareans can cause an unmet need for the mother and baby, and also can cause unnecessary risks to the mother and baby, but medically necessary cesareans can save a life and reduce the risk of serious complications during childbirth.
But doctors have suggested that high C-section figures may be more indicative of problems with the health-care system than the personal actions of individual doctors.
Child health advocates note that access to safe, evidence-based maternity and health care is a key component to guaranteeing every child a chance at survival, health and a best possible start in life.
