Trial of 47 Health Workers Begins in Turkey

In Istanbul, 47 health workers, including doctors and nurses, are on trial for their alleged roles in the deaths of ten infants due to a fraudulent scheme within Turkey's healthcare system. Prosecutors accuse them of transferring newborns to private hospitals for unnecessary treatments, leading to neglect and malpractice, while falsifying medical records to secure inflated payments from the social security system. The trial, which began on November 18, 2024, has sparked significant public outrage, with protests demanding accountability and justice for the families affected. Dr. Firat Sari, the main defendant, faces charges including negligent homicide and fraud, and could receive a sentence of up to 583 years in prison, although he and his co-defendants deny any wrongdoing. The scandal has resulted in the closure of nine implicated hospitals, raising broader concerns about the integrity of Turkey's healthcare system. Families of the victims are calling for greater oversight and accountability, with some demanding the resignation of Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu.