Turkey penalises obstetricians over high cesarean rates, sparking medical‑community backlash

Six obstetricians in Turkey have been barred from practice for six months after authorities linked them to the country's high cesarean‑section rate. CHP deputy Ali Rıza Erbay condemned the sanctions, saying they threaten mothers and newborns and undermine doctors’ scientific independence. He warned that fear of punishment could push physicians to prioritize statistics over patient safety.

The Ankara Medical Chamber echoed these concerns, describing the arrests as part of a broader erosion of professional autonomy. The chamber cited a recent case in Şanlıurfa where a woman died after a cesarean delivery, noting that the doctor involved was later released. Both the party official and the medical association stressed that delivery mode decisions must be based on clinical conditions and informed consent, not on meeting statistical targets.

The controversy highlights tensions in Turkey’s health policy between efforts to reduce cesarean rates and the need to protect medical judgment and maternal‑newborn safety.