Key Takeaways
- Turkey's health ministry has fined over 100 obstetrician-gynaecologists for performing Caesarean sections.
- The country records the highest rate of C-section births among OECD nations, at around 615 per 1,000 live births in 2023.
- Authorities have banned non-medically justified C-sections in private healthcare facilities since April 2025.
Turkey's health ministry has imposed fines on over 100 obstetrician-gynaecologists for performing Caesarean sections, according to reports. The move comes amid ongoing efforts by the Turkish government to promote natural births under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s family policy drive.
The latest data from 2023 shows that Turkey records a high rate of C-section deliveries at around 615 per 1,000 live births. This figure places Turkey among the highest in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries.
Medical professionals argue that Caesarean sections save time, reduce legal risk, and offer a sense of safety for both doctors and patients. However, the government has taken steps to curb what it deems as non-medically justified C-sections in private healthcare facilities since April 2025.
The disciplinary measures include fines, suspensions from duty, and mandatory training for the affected doctors. One reported case involves a private hospital doctor near Istanbul who was dismissed and later suspended for six months due to a high C-section rate.
Healthcare workers have criticized these actions, stating that doctors are facing warnings, investigations, and mandatory training because of Turkey’s high C-section rate. They argue that the focus should be on improving healthcare standards rather than penalizing medical practitioners.
The government's stance is part of broader initiatives aimed at reducing unnecessary interventions in childbirth and promoting natural births. Critics contend that such measures could lead to a decrease in maternal and neonatal health outcomes if not handled carefully.
While the exact number of fines imposed or the amount of each fine was not specified, the action underscores the government's commitment to addressing the issue through regulatory means.
