Newborn deaths in Istanbul expose alleged private hospital corruption
Fourteen suspects were sent to court in Istanbul for allegedly orchestrating newborn deaths and profiting through illicit transfers to private hospitals, Istanbul, Türkiye, Dec. 6, 2024. (AA Photo)
The Turkish Parliament’s Research Commission is scrutinizing alleged malpractice in private hospitals in Istanbul, following shocking reports of newborn deaths.
Erkan Hacifazlioglu, head of the Ministry of Health‘s Inspection Board, revealed that the investigation began on March 27, 2023, with the first complaint submitted to Türkiye’s Presidential Communication Center (CIMER).
By May 2, 2023, extraordinary inspections had started. The Istanbul Provincial Health Directorate escalated the matter to law enforcement three days later.
Technical surveillance, including wiretapping, began on June 20, 2023, under judicial approval. Authorities monitored 300 individuals across nine wiretap orders, which continued until February 2024.
Hacifazlioglu described the case as unprecedented in scope, with simultaneous inspections and extensive evidence collection involving neonatology specialists, prosecutors, and law enforcement.
Sensational wiretaps expose alleged wrongdoing leading to newborn deaths, staff reactions
Wiretaps from the investigation unveiled startling conversations between hospital staff about the inspections following several newborn deaths. Hacifazlioglu shared the following quotes, which became critical evidence:
- “They went through everything as if it was a dawn raid”
- “They disrupted our hive; every irregularity was uncovered”
- “They stormed in everywhere and reviewed every single epicrisis file simultaneously”
- “In all my years, I’ve never seen such an inspection. The director said the most senior person after the minister is after you”
- “They checked everything down to the blood test results”
- “Patient files and 115 epicrisis documents were retrieved from the archive, and their copies were requested”
- “They examined why there was only one nurse and questioned the absence of others during breaks”
These revelations painted a grim picture of systemic failures and attempts to cover up malpractices which led to newborn deaths.
Criminal charges filed against doctors, hospital staff for newborn deaths
On December 4, 2024, Istanbul’s Financial Crimes Unit arrested 14 suspects as part of an ongoing investigation into an alleged organized crime network linked to private hospitals following multiple newborn deaths.
Prosecutors accused the group, led by Dr. Firat Sari, of crimes including “forming a criminal organization,” “fraud,” “bribery,” “negligent homicide,” and “forgery.” Those arrested included five doctors, three nurses, five healthcare workers, and one civilian.
The suspects reportedly conspired to redirect critically ill newborns to specific hospitals for profit. Authorities claimed hospitals falsified medical records to keep infants in intensive care unnecessarily, maximizing insurance payouts. The daily cost of neonatal intensive care reportedly reached $230 per patient, a strong financial incentive for prolonged hospital stays.
Investigators uncovered instances where required medical personnel were absent from intensive care units. Nurses performed unsupervised procedures, and in some cases, they reportedly impersonated doctors when speaking to families. Fake epicrisis reports masked the actual conditions of patients, further concealing irregularities.
Lawmakers debate Turkish healthcare system’s vulnerabilities, financial motives
During Parliamentary debates, CHP MP Ali Karaoba criticized the profit-driven nature of Türkiye’s healthcare system. “When financial incentives dominate, such as paying 4,933 lira daily for a third-tier neonatal intensive care patient, these systemic issues become inevitable,” Karaoba argued. He called for a complete overhaul of the regulatory framework to prevent future tragedies.
IYI Party MP Turhan Comez expressed concerns about increasing corruption within healthcare, citing this case as indicative of deeper problems. “This issue goes beyond negligence. It exposes a system fundamentally flawed, where financial gain trumps patient care,” he stated.
The Ministry of Health emphasized its commitment to holding perpetrators accountable for the newborn deaths and implementing reforms to close existing loopholes. The Parliamentary Commission is expected to continue its investigation and propose measures to address systemic weaknesses.
As public outrage mounts, the accused await their day in court, with the next hearing scheduled for January 13, 2025. The investigation’s findings are likely to shape discussions on healthcare reform in Türkiye.
