Hospitals ruined no houses to stay, new doctors appointed to the earthquake zone

The Ministry of Health has appointed 1724 newly graduated physicians and specialist physicians within the scope of the 109th term government service obligation. Some of these physicians, the vast majority of whom are assigned to the earthquake zone, have neither hospitals to serve nor houses to shelter.

The Kahramanmaraş-based earthquakes affected about 14 million people in 11 provinces. Two million people have migrated out of the region. About two million earthquake victims are living in temporary shelters. The number of ruined and urgently demolished (heavily damaged) buildings in the earthquake zone is 230 thousand. Data on the housing status of the remaining 10 million, other than those who emigrated and those who took shelter in temporary settlements, are insufficient.

IT’S A PROBLEM TO FIND AN UNDAMAGED HOSPITAL

A urology specialist who returned after the completion of the research program abroad said that almost all of the opened positions were in hospitals in the earthquake zone: “There is no doubt that we can provide health care anywhere with great enthusiasm, but I have searched for the relevant places opened in my field. For example, Hatay Samandag State Hospital does not provide services, only the emergency department provides services in Maraş Göksun, and doctors live in containers because there are no solid houses left in the cities. Housing in cities, water, etc. I personally did not understand what the need for such different branches was, when basic needs were not provided and people had already left the cities. Unfortunately, it is nothing more than a completely unplanned and haphazard decision.”

Doctors are waiting for container cities to be established near hospitals as soon as possible. Doctors, whose terms of office start on March 1, demand that the hospitals they will work in be safe. Other demands include to shorten service obligation periods due to existing infrastructure and public health problems (asbestos) in the region.

The Second President of the Turkish Medical Association said that the basic needs such as housing, rest, nutrition, hygiene of doctors who were both temporarily assigned in the earthquake zone, as well as newly graduated and appointed ones, were not met. He also said that actual practices such as the threat of dismissal from office and the failure to process petitions were encountered.

THE MAIN NEED IS PREVENTIVE HEALTH SERVICES

Emphasizing that the main need in the earthquake region at the moment is to strengthen primary care (preventive) health services, he said “Of course, there is also a need for second and third-line health services. But what is important right now is to protect from infectious diseases, ensure that vaccination is carried out fully, monitor children and pregnant women, ensure hygiene with clean drinking and drinking water Jul. To strengthen the infrastructure for public health. There is a need for a family doctor rather than a regional specialist doctor.”

The number of family health centers and hospitals that are ecrepit and able to provide services is very small. In Antakya, for example, where the destruction was great, most of them were destroyed. The only hospital in Dörtyol that can provide second-line health services is standing. He said, “First of all, we need to strengthen family health centers and hospitals. There is no point in appointing specialists without strengthening and building health units. There is no hospital in Hatay at the moment, what will you do if you appoint a specialist? There is a strange logic.”

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Reminding that a full month has passed since the earthquake, He continued as follows: “Assignments are being made, but housing is not provided, food and drink are not provided. The food and beverage assistance at the beginning is over. It’s going to get worse after a while. The Ministry of Health must first provide the conditions and then wait for services. Now the chaotic days need to end, things need to be carried out in a plan and order.”