Key Takeaways
- Over 100 obstetrician-gynaecologists in Turkey have been fined and disciplined for carrying out Caesarean sections.
- The country has the highest rate of C-section births among OECD nations, with around 615 procedures per 1,000 live births.
- Turkish government aims to reduce elective C-sections through stricter regulations and training requirements.
Turkey's health ministry has fined more than 100 obstetrician-gynaecologists for performing Caesarean sections (C-sections), suspending them from duty and compelling them to undergo additional training, according to reports by BirGun newspaper. This move comes amid Turkey’s efforts to address its high rate of C-section births among OECD nations.
The country recorded approximately 615 C-sections per every 1,000 live births in the last available data from 2023, making it the highest among the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. Medical professionals have cited time efficiency and reduced legal risks as reasons for preferring C-sections over natural deliveries.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s 'Decade of the Family' initiative has seen increased government control over birthing practices, with a campaign aimed at boosting birth rates. In April 2025, the Turkish government banned elective C-sections at private healthcare facilities without medical justification, reflecting the president's push for natural births.
The Antalya Chamber of Physicians reported that doctors have been issued warnings and subjected to disciplinary investigations on grounds of high caesarean section rates. One case highlighted by Diken news involved an obstetrician who was dismissed from a private hospital in Sakarya near Istanbul, then suspended for six months due to a high rate of C-sections.
Medical associations across the country have reported that doctors are facing increased scrutiny and training requirements as part of this initiative. The government's move is seen as part of broader efforts to reduce elective C-sections and promote natural births, aligning with Erdogan’s vision for family planning in Turkey.
While some healthcare professionals support these measures, others argue that they may undermine trust between doctors and patients. The fine and suspension of over 100 doctors reflect the government's commitment to enforcing stricter regulations on birthing practices.
