Statement from TTB on Poverty and the Right to Life

The Central Council of the Turkish Medical Association made a written statement about the deepening poverty in the country, the high cost of living and the problems it causes.

In his statement titled "Poverty impairs health, insecurity threatens life", the following was noted:

"LIVING WITH HUMAN Dignity IS NOT A PRIVILEGE, IT IS A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT"

"The death of retired police officer Ali Şekeroğlu in Ankara has once again brought to the agenda the increasingly difficult living conditions of retirees and the severe consequences of poverty on human life. As the Turkish Medical Association, we offer our condolences to the relatives of Ali Şekeroğlu, who lost his life. TTB has been emphasizing that poverty is a public health problem for years. Insufficient income, indebtedness, unemployment and precarious work determine not only the economic situation of people, but also their opportunities for housing, nutrition, access to health services and participation in social life. Economic and social insecurity affects the future. It directly affects physical and mental health by deepening the anxiety and feeling of helplessness regarding human dignity. Living with human dignity is not a privilege, but a fundamental right.

"POLICIES THAT CONDUCT POVERTY AND INSURANCE SHOULD BE ABANDONED"

It is unacceptable that retirees are condemned to poverty and employees are condemned to insecurity in return for the labor they have put in for years. Suicides cannot be explained solely by individual reasons, independent of these social conditions. Preventing suicide requires providing economic, social and health security so that people can live their lives, beyond providing psychological support in times of crisis. Here we openly call on the political power: Policies that condemn people to poverty and insecurity should be abandoned. Pensions and wages should be increased to a level sufficient for human living, and the purchasing power of retirees should be protected. Justice should be ensured in income and taxes; The economic burden should be placed on those with high ability to pay, not on the public. Secure and permanent employment should be taken as a basis instead of precarious, subcontracted and temporary employment.

"HEALTH IS NOT ONLY THE TREATMENT OF DISEASES"

Health, education, housing and social security should be strengthened as public rights; Basic needs should not be left to the mercy of the market. Mental health services should be strengthened with a preventive and community-based approach, and everyone should be provided with access to free, qualified and accessible mental health services. The duty of the state is not to manage poverty, but to implement social policies that will eliminate poverty and insecurity. Because health is not just the treatment of diseases. Being able to live with human dignity, being safe, participating in social life and looking to the future with confidence are integral parts of health. Poverty is not destiny. Insecurity is not inevitable. "Human life and the right to life must be protected."