Although nearly four years have passed since the February 6 earthquakes, the problems experienced in primary healthcare services in Hatay have not been resolved. While health services are still provided in containers in many family health centers, health workers face problems of evacuation pressure and finding new service areas, as well as inadequate physical conditions.
In this context, Unity and Solidarity Union Chairman Dr. Ahmet Mehlepçi visited family health centers in the earthquake region and examined the problems of healthcare workers on site. Drawing attention to the problems experienced especially in Turunçlu and Harbiye family health centers in Defne district, Mehlepçi stated that while earthquake-affected health workers should be supported, they are forced to work in more severe conditions and called on the Ministry of Health to build permanent and earthquake-resistant family health centers.
“THEY ARE FORGOTTEN THAT THEY ARE EARTHQUAKE SUCCESSORS”
Stating that family physicians, midwives and nurses work in extremely difficult conditions in Hatay, Dr. Mehlepçi said that although 44 months have passed since the earthquake, the problems have not decreased, on the contrary, they have become increasingly severe. Dr. Mehlepçi said, "Our friends are forced to work in containers that do not even have toilets, in narrow spaces, burning from the heat in the summer and freezing from the cold in the winter. Our friends working in family health centers are already exhausted, unhappy and tired. The conditions of those working in Hatay are much harsher. It is forgotten that they are also earthquake victims. They are being punished additionally because they work in the earthquake zone."
Stating that the problems in the family medicine system are not limited to the earthquake zone, Mehlepçi said, "We have said it many times since the regulation we call the Torture Regulation, and we say it again: Family medicine and primary health care services are not going well. The reason for this is wrong and populist health policies."
“THE CENTER, SERVING 20 THOUSAND PEOPLE, IS UNDER THE THREAT OF EVACUATION”
Citing the situation of Turunçlu Family Health Center in Defne district of Hatay as an example, Dr. Mehlepçi stated that the center with five units is trying to provide health services to approximately 15-20 thousand people. Mehlepçi said that the center provides services in containers and that the employees are facing evacuation pressure and continued as follows:
"Instead of thanking these devoted healthcare workers, they are told, 'Evacuate this place, find a place for yourself. If you do not evacuate, your contract will be terminated.' Not only has a new family health center not been built in this region of Defne, but our family physician friends are forced to look for a plot of land where they can put containers day and night. Is this the system that we say we are an example of in healthcare? Why are they being punished more when they expect positive discrimination to be made to employees in the earthquake zone?"
“PREGNANT NURSE WALKS 200 METERS TO GO TO THE TOILET”
Emphasizing that the physical conditions in container family health centers are unacceptable for both employees and patients, Dr. Mehlepçi pointed out that even the most basic needs cannot be met and said, "Can there be a family health center inside the container market, next to the butcher shop and coffee house? Can there be a family health center without a toilet? Why is a pregnant nurse friend of ours forced to walk 200 meters to meet her toilet needs, and to go to other places by crossing the road with vehicle traffic?" he asked.
Stating that there are serious problems in rainy weather, Dr. Mehlepçi stated that during the rain that fell three days before his visit, the surrounding area was flooded and there was not even an area where the patients could be protected from the rain.
“HARBİYE ASSM WAS QUITE EMPTYED”
Dr. stated that the problems in Hatay are not limited to Turunçlu Family Health Center. Mehlepçi said that Harbiye Family Health Center was also hastily evacuated a few months ago. Dr. Ahmet Mehlepçi said, "Even the demands of our employees, 'At least the infrastructure of the containers we will move to should be prepared,' were not listened to. They were forced to move by removing their air conditioners in the middle of summer. There is a budget to build a uniform sign for a family health center with a demolition decision, but why can't we find the resources to build a toilet, which is the most basic need of health centers?" he said.
“WHERE ARE THE 1000 ASM WORDS?”
Dr. also criticized the Ministry of Health's use of resources. Mehlepçi argued that it is unacceptable that the basic needs of family health centers in the earthquake zone are not met in return for the budget allocated to city hospitals.
"While the Ministry of Health's budget flows to the contractors of city hospitals, why can't we find resources to build a family health center in Hatay?" asked Dr. Ahmet Mehlepçi emphasized that there is a need for public-built, earthquake-resistant and detached family health centers.
President of Unity and Solidarity Union Dr. Mehlepçi said, "Almost four years have passed since the earthquake. We want public-built, earthquake-resistant, independent family health centers where we can work humanely, primarily in the earthquake zone. Where is the promise of 1000 FHCs?" he said.
“DON'T PUNISH HEALTH WORKERS, SUPPORT THEM”
Stating that health services in the earthquake region are maintained with great devotion, Dr. Mehlepçi said that family physicians, midwives and nurses fight not only for their own working conditions, but also for the Hatay people's access to health care.
Dr. Mehlepçi completed his statement with the following words:
"Hear the voices of our family doctors, midwives and nurses who carry out the vaccinations, follow-ups, cancer screenings, examinations and preventive health services of our people living in Hatay with great devotion. We want the healthcare workers working in the earthquake zone to be supported, not to be victimized further; not to be punished, but to be given the working conditions they deserve.
As the Unity and Solidarity Union, we are ashamed to listen to the troubles of our friends. We will always continue to be their voice, always by their side. Without getting tired, without getting tired, until you hear!”
