Turkish Health Minister Koca says no need to apologize for ‘money’ insinuation

Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca has stated that there was no need to apologize for his insinuation about doctors leaving Turkey to earn more money. Koca said if there was a colleague offended by his gesture, “I apologize to them as well.”

Sunday December 17 2023 01:00 pm

Duvar English

Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca on Dec. 16 stated that there was no need to apologize for his insinuation that doctors were leaving Turkey to earn more money, according to reporting by Anadolu Agency.

Koca said “What I meant was (the doctors migrate) not to developed countries (the most). (It’s) Qatar, Dubai and Kuwait. Do these countries have something superior to developed countries that I cannot see, other than higher salaries? If there is, please tell me. However, if there is a colleague I have offended, I apologize to them as well,” while answering the relevant criticisms during the budget hearings in the Parliament.

During a Health Ministry budget meeting last month, Koca answered criticisms about Turkish doctors leaving the country with “That is not because of us,” while rubbing his fingers together, gesturing “money.”

His gesture drew ire as the Turkish Medical Association (TTB) condemned Koca.

Doctors in Turkey are emigrating to practice in European cities with escalating numbers over the last few years. The Turkish “doctor drain” is due to increasing workplace violence and worsening working conditions in recent years.

The Turkish Medical Association (TTB) reported that 2,285 doctors applied for the Certificate of Good Standing necessary for job applications abroad in the first half of 2023.