Turkish Doctors Suspended for Allegedly Accepting Bribes from Patients

Turkish authorities have suspended two doctors working at a state hospital in Istanbul following allegations that they accepted bribes from patients for surgical procedures. This action was taken after videos surfaced, reportedly recorded with hidden cameras, showing multiple patients handing cash to the doctors in their offices.

Details of the Incident

In one of the videos, a woman is seen counting a large sum of money before handing it to the doctor, who accepts it without hesitation, placing it into a drawer or his pocket. The two doctors are employed at the "Üsküdar" state hospital located on the Asian side of Istanbul.

Ongoing Legal Investigations

The Turkish prosecutor's office is conducting an investigation into the doctors for allegedly extorting patients who sought examinations for surgical procedures. This incident arises despite the fact that salaries for doctors in state hospitals are among the highest in the public sector, while patients receive free treatments in exchange for a monthly health insurance fee.

Previous Incidents of Medical Bribery

This is not the first case of medical bribery reported in Turkey, as similar incidents have been documented where some doctors exploited patients' urgency to secure quicker surgery dates, highlighting the need for strengthening the Turkish healthcare system to improve internal controls and combat medical corruption.