Turkish Ministers address medical liability at Medicine and Justice Symposium

Turkish Justice Minister Akın Gürlek and Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu participated in the 'Medicine and Justice Symposium' held in Istanbul. The two-day event focused on the intersection of medical practices and legal responsibilities, aiming to strengthen cooperation between the health and justice sectors.

Minister Gürlek emphasized that violence against healthcare workers is an attack on the conscience of society and a red line for the government. He highlighted existing legal safeguards, such as the Professional Responsibility Board established in 2022, which allows for expert medical evaluation during criminal investigations without granting total immunity.

Minister Memişoğlu stated that protecting patient rights and ensuring the professional security of healthcare workers are complementary goals. He announced that preparations for the 'Regulation on Health Rights and Communication Management' are nearing completion, which will include digitalizing informed consent processes. The symposium addressed various topics, including criminal and compensation liabilities, medical malpractice, and the importance of scientific data in legal evaluations of medical interventions.