Fahrettin Koca's statement on the money gesture: There is no situation that requires an apology

Health Minister Fahrettin Koca made a statement regarding his remarks and the money-counting gesture he made during the Ministry's budget deliberations at the TBMM Plan and Budget Committee, which concerned doctors leaving the country for higher earnings.

"THERE IS NO SITUATION THAT REQUIRES AN APOLOGY"

Responding to criticisms during the budget deliberations at the TBMM General Assembly, Fahrettin Koca said, "I owe an explanation to my colleagues regarding the money gesture made in the committee. I am not someone who hesitates to apologize. You all know this very well. There is no situation here that requires an apology," he stated.

Stating, "However, I owe an explanation to our colleagues," Koca continued, "My intention was not about going to developed countries, that is, countries like England or Germany, due to their development. Do we know which countries doctors go to the most? Qatar, Dubai, and Kuwait. It was for these countries. Do these countries have an aspect superior to developed countries that I cannot see, other than high salaries? If there is, please tell me. Still, if there is any colleague I have offended by misunderstanding my intention, I apologize to them as well."

New statement from Health Minister Fahrettin Koca, whose 'money-counting' gesture drew backlash: There is no situation that requires an apology. My intention was not about going to countries like England or Germany due to their development. The countries where the most physicians go are Qatar, Dubai, Kuwait...

WHAT HAD HAPPENED?

During the budget deliberations at the TBMM Plan and Budget Committee on November 9, Fahrettin Koca addressed the migration of doctors abroad, saying, "Specifically, there are figures obtained from a Medical Chamber, and there are those obtained from us, as you know. We also wrote a letter to the Medical Association saying, 'Our figures do not match yours, could you please share these figures with us?' and we are waiting for that. In 2002, 1,359 people requested a certificate of good standing from us, but only 450 people are currently abroad, working abroad; the rest are in the country. I am speaking with police information. In 2023, it was 1,321. It appears 401 people have gone abroad. 250 of those 401 are general practitioners," he said.

"Therefore, we see that one-third of those going abroad are specialists, and two-thirds are general practitioners; it is predominantly general practitioners. So, where do they go more? Are they going to Germany? No. Qatar, Kuwait, Dubai, then Germany," Koca said, to which HEDEP Muş MP Sezai Temelli replied, "Because of you."

Upon this, Koca said, "It is not because of us. We cannot pay 30, 40, 50 thousand dollars. It is not because of us, meaning, I say this because it is also for educational purposes, and it is predominantly general practitioners, and also for educational purposes. How many physicians do we have? 205 thousand. How many are leaving? 401, 450, let it be 500, let it be 600. How many per thousand? 1.9; let it be 2, 2.5, 3, 4, meaning 4 people out of a thousand have left, let's even double it according to your calculation. Is it a problem?" he said.

News Source: 12punto