Allegation in Bursa brought to Parliament: Atatürk portrait removed at Public Hospitals Presidency

Following the appointment of Dr. Melike Savaş to the Bursa Public Hospitals Services Presidency in August, a striking allegation came to the fore in September. It was claimed that Savaş had removed the Atatürk portrait that was in the presidential office when she took office.

ALLEGATION BROUGHT TO PARLIAMENT AGENDA

According to the report in Cumhuriyet, the allegation in question was first brought to the agenda by CHP Health Policies Board Chairman and Bursa Deputy Prof. Dr. Kayıhan Pala. Subsequently, IYI Party Bursa Deputy Selçuk Türkoğlu also brought the issue to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. Both deputies submitted parliamentary questions for Minister of Health Kemal Memişoğlu to answer.

CHP'S PALA: "NO ONE CAN OVERSHADOW INSTITUTIONAL MEMORY"

Stating that the removal of the Atatürk portrait from the office is considered an attitude contrary to the tradition of public institutions formed since the founding of the Republic, CHP's Pala stated that the Minister of Health should clarify the issue. Pala said, "Keeping Atatürk's portrait is an expression of institutional commitment to the values of the Republic; no one can overshadow the institutional memory of the Republic of Turkey."

Pala also asked Memişoğlu, "Is there a regulation regarding the keeping of Atatürk's portrait hanging on the wall in the offices of the central and provincial organizations and affiliated institutions of the Ministry of Health?"

TÜRKOĞLU: "THIS IS NOT JUST A TRADITION"

IYI Party Bursa Deputy Selçuk Türkoğlu also applied to the Minister of Health with a similar parliamentary question. Türkoğlu said, "Keeping an Atatürk portrait in public institutions is not just a tradition, but also a deep-rooted culture that represents the identity of our Republic and our state."

Reiterating the question posed by Pala, Türkoğlu included the statements, "Is there a written regulation or circular regarding the keeping of an Atatürk portrait in the offices of the Ministry of Health's central and provincial organizations?"

LEGAL PERIOD EXPIRED, NO RESPONSE RECEIVED

It was stated that Minister of Health Kemal Memişoğlu did not provide any response to the parliamentary questions submitted by both deputies, despite the legally granted fifteen-day period having expired.

News Source: 12punto