Shocking details in 'Newborn Gang' scandal: The dead were shown as alive

New details continue to emerge in the investigation into the "Newborn Gang" scandal that has shaken Turkey, involving the subjection of babies to unnecessary procedures in intensive care, which led to the deaths of at least 12 infants.

Striking details were included in the indictment prepared against the gang, which operated in Istanbul-based hospitals and caused the deaths of babies by transferring them to contracted hospitals.

The ongoing investigation determined that gang members portrayed deceased babies as if they were still alive to extend their hospitalization periods.

It was revealed that they obtained illicit gains from the Social Security Institution (SGK) through this method.

It was determined that the gang received extra payments from the SGK by keeping the intensive care occupancy rates of the hospitals high using this method.

Telephone conversations reflected in the indictment pointed out that similar irregularities were committed not only in newborn units but also in departments where adult patients were treated.

It was stated that Hüseyin Günerhan, who worked at Esenler Güney Hospital and is accused of being a gang member, used the phrase, "They think this is just for newborns now, but one day they will start with adults too. SGK and all that..." in a phone conversation with his healthcare worker friend O.Ö.

This conversation showed that the gang was trying to profit not only from babies but also from adult patients. O.Ö.'s response to these statements was, "They will start, brother, why wouldn't they? Once they have caught the scent of the illegal, everything is illegal."

According to information in the indictment, gang members billed the SGK for extra medication by portraying the patients' health conditions as more severe than they actually were.

Furthermore, patient admissions were secured irregularly from the 112 Emergency Call Center, and hospitalization periods were extended. Deceased patients were shown as if they were alive, and changes were made to reports to carry out the fraud.

According to the report by Cumhuriyet, striking details about the gang's methods were shared in the phone conversation Hüseyin Günerhan had with O.Ö.

Günerhan explained the systematically conducted irregularities with the following words: "They have people without ambulance certificates drive ambulances. Families are not informed about deaths at the same time; they extend the hospitalization period. They show the patient as if they are alive. They have special systems; they change the patients' blood results and lung reports through this, and they raise the patients' care levels."