Surgical Stent Bargaining Scandal: Private Hospital’s Angiography Unit Sealed

In Istanbul, a private hospital’s angiography unit has been sealed following a scandal where the hospital’s accountant engaged in stent bargaining with a patient during surgery.

During an emergency procedure, price negotiations reportedly took place at the private health facility, prompting the Health Ministry to halt the operations of the angiography unit. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

The Istanbul Provincial Health Directorate team visited the hospital and after conducting an inspection, sealed the angiography unit.

“Patient Rights Are Our Red Line”

Istanbul Provincial Health Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Abdullah Emre Güner issued a statement on X, emphasizing that citizens’ health and rights are a “red line.” He affirmed that the health of citizens and their rights would never be compromised, and added:
“We have swiftly implemented all necessary administrative sanctions, including halting the activities of the relevant department, after detecting price negotiations during an emergency procedure at a private healthcare facility in Istanbul. We will not tolerate unethical practices in healthcare services. We will continue to increase our inspections to protect the rights of our citizens. We will rigorously apply our zero-tolerance policy against any abuse that threatens public health. Preventing such misconduct is essential for maintaining the reliability and transparency of our healthcare system.”

Bargaining During Angioplasty

On January 13th, a 51-year-old patient named B.T. visited a hospital in Taksim with chest pain. It was determined that three of his arteries were blocked, and urgent angioplasty was required. B.T. was transferred that evening to a private hospital in Bakırköy.

According to footage aired on the Arena program, it is alleged that during the angioplasty, the hospital’s accountant entered the sterile operating environment without precaution and began quoting prices, saying, “15, 18, and 20” for stents. The patient reportedly requested the most affordable stent, but was asked to pay 50,000 lira for a third stent.

Following the scandal, the Ministry of Health decided to suspend the activities of the relevant department in the hospital.

SOURCE: ekonomim.com/gundem/ameliyatta-stent-pazarligi-skandali-ozel-hastanenin-anjiyografi-unitesi-muhurlendi-haberi-799952