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In Turkey, the government’s strictness regarding C-section (cesarean delivery) without medical necessity has now taken the form of a big controversy. Taking an unprecedented step, the country’s Health Ministry has banned more than 100 Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Heavy financial penalty has been imposed on these doctors accused of carrying out unnecessary delivery through operation. Not only this, many doctors have been temporarily suspended from clinical duty and they have been compulsorily instructed to undergo special training again. After this tough stance of the government, huge resentment and anger is being seen among doctors and medical organizations across the country.
Why was this strict action taken against doctors?
Mainly the following allegations and reasons have emerged behind this sudden and major action taken by the Health Ministry:
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Flood of unnecessary surgeries: The official investigation against the doctors against whom action has been taken has proved that they performed C-sections excessively and arbitrarily, despite the possibility of normal (natural) delivery.
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Provision for strict punishment: In case of violation of rules, the Ministry not only issued warnings, but also took strict disciplinary action like direct financial penalty, temporary suspension from clinical practice and mandatory re-training. Many local medical chambers of Turkey have also confirmed this.
New rule came into effect in April 2025: ‘Decade of the Family’
This controversy in Turkey did not arise overnight. In fact, April 2025 In 2017, the Turkish government enacted a major law and completely banned elective C-sections in private and government hospitals without any concrete medical emergency.
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Preference for natural delivery: The government has a clear stand that if there is no threat to the life of the mother or the unborn child, then doctors will have to give priority to normal delivery (vaginal delivery) in all circumstances.
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Major initiatives of President Erdoğan: This strict law is part of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s ‘Decade of the Family’ campaign. The main objective of this national campaign is to improve the continuously falling birth rate in the country and to encourage women for natural delivery.
Turkey is on top among OECD countries: Shocking figures of C-section
Turkey ranks first in the world in terms of C-section rate among the 38 member countries of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
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61.5% from delivery operations: According to available official data, out of every 1,000 live births in Turkey in 2023, about 615 babies were born via C-section. That means, out of the total deliveries in the country, approximately 61.5 percent The cases were of operations, which have been considered extremely dangerous and unusual according to the standards of the World Health Organization (WHO).
What is Turkey’s ‘Natural Birth Policy’? (Natural Birth Policy)
The basic agenda of this policy of the Turkish Health Ministry is to bring down the rising graph of cesarean in the country. It includes the following main points:
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Wherever there is even 1% medical possibility, normal delivery should be promoted.
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C-section should be used only and only when the life of the mother or the baby is in danger.
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To make pregnant women aware of the long-term disadvantages of operation and the benefits of normal delivery.
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To compel hospitals to manage delivery as per global guidelines set by WHO.
WHO (World Health Organization) perspective:
WHO clearly believes that C-section is only a life-saving surgery. Simply increasing C-section rates unnecessarily does not improve maternal health or the health of the newborn, but rather increases unnecessary surgical risk to the mother and the financial burden on the hospital.
Doctors hit back: “This is an administrative attack on professional freedom”
After this action, Turkish Medical Association (TTB) and Antalya Chamber of Physicians have come in front of the government.
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System Flaws: Senior TTB official Dr. Ayesha Gultekingil says that it is wrong to crucify doctors only for the high rate of C-section. This is a widespread and structural problem.
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Patient’s condition is paramount: Doctors argue that no administrative officer can decide how a woman’s delivery will take place. There are many complex reasons behind this like the functioning of hospitals, lack of emergency infrastructure, fear of legal cases and the physical condition of the patient himself. Critics also say that this policy is violating women’s personal freedom to choose their body and method of delivery (Reproductive Freedom).