Turkish health minister credits CİMER complaint system for cracking insurance scam

Duvar English

Turkish Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu on Oct. 20 suggested that the social security scam ring has been discovered due to a complaint submitted to the Presidential Communications Center (CİMER).

Memişoğlu noted that over 5,000 inspections had been conducted in Istanbul’s private hospitals in the past three months during a live broadcast on CNN Türk. He said that the ring was quashed via the CİMER complaint proving that the ministry considered every application. 

Memişoğlu announced that ten hospitals where the ring operated had been closed on Oct. 19, adding that they had the strength and the system to weed out the “bad apples”.

Memişoğlu described dismantling the gang as an "incredible success," saying the operation was conducted six months ago. “The indictment has been completed, other investigations have progressed, and this is now both a legal and administrative process. These people will face every punishment, and you will see," he assured.

He explained that the issue resurfaced when a video of a threat against the prosecutor emerged, but it should have been addressed 5.5 months ago.

Memişoğlu recalled that the process was conducted in secrecy, stating, "If CIMER hadn’t existed, and we hadn’t received this information, or conducted this secret investigation, these hospitals would still be operating."

He added, "The number of people in custody has increased. There is now an indictment and investigation for 47 people. Initially, it was 41, but it’s now 47 because those who issued threats have also been detained."

He mentioned that they formed a commission in September and sent experts to inspect all newborns in Istanbul hospitals. Memişoğlu said, "This was an incredible operation conducted by the collaboration of justice, interior, and health ministries. Six months ago, this gang was exposed on television, and now the indictment has been completed, and the court process will soon begin."

He emphasized that dismantling such a gang was their greatest consolation, adding, "We are ready to do whatever it takes, but we want to ensure that this never happens again. I want the public to know that we work day and night to dismantle such gangs, often starting with a single CİMER complaint."

The minister wanted to reassure the public that the healthcare system had “no weaknesses.” 

Memişoğlu later announced on his social media account an overhauling of the ministry’s inspection system for private hospitals.  

He emphasized that while continuing current healthcare services without any disruption or misuse, the ministry's inspection teams would be fully mobilized to oversee not only the newborn branch but all branches in hospitals.

He also announced that the current inspection system would be updated, and commissions comprising expert physicians and academics from various branches would be formed.

Memişoğlu added that while inspections of private hospitals would continue without interruption, structural reforms related to private healthcare institutions were also on the ministry's agenda.