KTAMS calls for resignation of Health Minister Hakan Dinçyürek

The Cyprus Turkish Civil Servants Union (KTAMS) has called for the resignation of Health Minister Hakan Dinçyürek following allegations of mismanagement within the Department of Drugs and Pharmacy.

KTAMS President Güven Bengihan reported that staff refused to accept certain cancer, neurology, and diabetes medications because they were not transported under required cold chain conditions. Bengihan stated that the medications were not maintained within the mandatory 2-8 degree Celsius range and lacked the necessary temperature recording devices for verification. He further alleged that instead of being commended, the employee who flagged these issues had their duty station changed, an act he claimed was intended to intimidate other workers.

Additional allegations include orders from the Department Director to provide medications without prescriptions and irregularities in the procurement process, such as significant delivery delays. Bengihan also claimed that companies previously excluded due to non-compliance were reinstated under the Minister's instructions. Consequently, KTAMS has called on Prime Minister Ünal Üstel to remove Dinçyürek from office to protect public health.