Propofol poisoning identified as cause of death for Izmir doctor

A forensic report has confirmed that Dr. Özlem Gültekin, an obstetrician and gynecologist, died from propofol poisoning at her private clinic in Izmir. The findings have reignited discussions regarding the risk of substance misuse among healthcare professionals.

Propofol, a short-acting anesthetic often referred to as ‘white milk,’ is widely used in medical settings but can be fatal if used outside of controlled clinical environments. Experts note that medical staff are at high risk due to easy access to the drug and their ability to hide symptoms or dosage irregularities.

Data from Turkey indicates that between 2009 and 2019, at least 50 healthcare workers died from drug overdoses. Global medical analyses suggest propofol is involved in 29% of overdose deaths among medical personnel. Specialists suggest that high stress, sleep deprivation, and trauma often drive the initial misuse of these substances.