Scandal in Istanbul: Hospital forces patient to negotiate stent price mid-surgery
A disturbing moment captured inside an Istanbul hospital, where an accountant in casual attire was seen entering the operating room to negotiate stent prices with a patient mid-surgery, Türkiye, Feb. 13, 2025. (Courtesy of Sozcu)
A private hospital in Istanbul faces investigation after a hospital accountant entered an operating room and discussed stent prices with a patient undergoing angioplasty.
The incident has drawn backlash, leading to government action and renewed discussions on the privatization of healthcare in Türkiye.
What happened?
On January 13, 51-year-old B.T. sought medical care at a private hospital in Taksim after experiencing chest pain.
- Doctors determined that 3 of his arteries were blocked and referred him to another private hospital in Bakirkoy for immediate angioplasty
- During the procedure, a hospital accountant walked into the operating room in casual clothing and presented different stent price options
What were the prices offered by the private hospital in Istanbul?
Footage aired on Sozcu TV’s Arena program captured the moment when the accountant told B.T. about their pricing
There are options costing $400 (₺15,000), $475 (₺18,000), $925 (₺35,000). The best price I can do for you is $260 (₺10,000).
B.T. later stated that the hospital asked for an additional $1,300 (₺50,000) for a third stent, which he could not afford. He also alleged that payments were taken in cash to prevent future complaints.
Government launches investigation, shuts down the hospital’s angiography unit
The Ministry of Health condemned the hospital’s actions and launched an investigation. “No citizen’s health can be subject to negotiation,” the ministry stated. Istanbul’s Provincial Health Directorate sent inspectors to the hospital and imposed administrative sanctions.
The ministry announced that it had shut down the hospital’s angiography unit. “The facility’s related department has been closed due to violations of medical ethics and regulations,” the statement read.
The investigation expanded to the Social Security Institution (SGK) and the Ministry of Treasury and Finance. Authorities are reviewing whether the hospital charged unauthorized fees. The Istanbul Chamber of Medicine (Istanbul Tabip Odasi) received a report about the doctors who allowed the negotiation to take place.
Turkish doctors, political figures criticize unethical practices at private hospitals
Healthcare professionals condemned the incident. The President of the Istanbul Chamber of Medicine, Prof. Dr. Osman Kucukosmanoglu, explained why such a conversation is unethical and emphasized that private hospitals cannot demand fees beyond legal limits.
A patient on the operating table cannot make a rational financial decision. This is unacceptable both medically and legally.
Private hospitals can only charge up to 200% of the state-set price for certain services. However, they cannot charge extra fees for emergency treatments like stents
The incident has reignited political debates on healthcare privatization. The Turkish Communist Party (TKP) issued a statement blaming the private system for the incident, declaring, “This is the inevitable result of a system that prioritizes profit over public health. The solution is simple: nationalization.” The party warned that similar incidents will continue unless major structural changes are made.
Scandal sparks wider concerns about healthcare privatization in Türkiye
The scandal has raised concerns about the state of private hospitals in Türkiye, with reports of similar practices emerging in other facilities. Authorities are expected to introduce further measures after completing the investigation.
The hospital remains operational, but its reputation has suffered. The government’s response and the severity of the legal actions taken will determine whether similar incidents can be prevented in the future. The case has fueled growing concerns over patient rights and the ethics of healthcare privatization in Türkiye.
