7-year-old dies, investigation path opened: Permission granted to investigate 15 healthcare workers

Yüsra Türkoğlu, one of four children of the Türkoğlu family living in Bursa and a first-grade student at Hürriyet Ticaret ve Sanayi Odası Primary School, was taken to Bursa City Hospital by her family after falling ill on the evening of May 19, 2024. It is alleged that the health condition of little Yüsra, who was brought to the hospital with suspected flu, deteriorated shortly after receiving serum treatment. The family stated that after the treatment, the child's symptoms worsened over approximately 10 hours, with swelling in her eyes, abdominal pain, and low blood pressure developing.

In the morning hours, following an intervention by a specialist doctor, little Yüsra's condition was assessed as critical and she was taken to the intensive care unit. Despite being intubated after her heart stopped, she could not be saved. Her father, Cemil Türkoğlu, filed a criminal complaint with the prosecutor's office, claiming his daughter lost her life due to an incorrect serum.

INVESTIGATION BY THE MINISTRY AND PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE

The Bursa Chief Public Prosecutor's Office decided to launch a judicial investigation into Yüsra's death, while the Ministry of Health initiated an administrative investigation and appointed inspectors to the hospital. The hospital administration stated that the patient was met with the necessary attention and that a heart condition was detected. Furthermore, it was claimed that the patient's family insisted on leaving the hospital, but she was taken to the intensive care unit due to her critical condition. It was noted that the assigned inspectors are investigating the cause of death from multiple angles and have taken the statements of doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers.

COURT DECISION GRANTS INVESTIGATION PERMISSION

Following a preliminary examination, the Ministry of Health decided not to grant permission for an investigation into the relevant doctors. However, the Türkoğlu family appealed this decision and took the matter to the Ankara Regional Administrative Court. As a result of the review, it was unanimously decided to launch an investigation into a total of 15 healthcare workers, including pediatric specialists, pediatric cardiology specialists, pediatric intensive care unit professors, associate professors, specialist doctors, residents, and general practitioners.

The court's decision stated, "Although permission for an investigation was not granted on the grounds that the diagnosis, treatment, and practices carried out by the complained healthcare professionals were in accordance with medical rules, the manner in which the incident occurred and all information and allegations in the file can only be clarified as a result of a detailed investigation; therefore, a prosecutor's investigation is necessary."

"WE HOPE JUSTICE WILL BE SERVED"

The court's decision to grant permission for the investigation brought great relief to the family. Mother Azime Buse Türkoğlu said, "When we learned that permission for an investigation was not granted, it was like a bucket of boiling water was poured over our heads. We were not expecting such a result. When we learned on Tuesday that the Ankara Regional Administrative Court, to which we appealed, had granted permission for the investigation, we were very happy. We became hopeful. This happened to us. We don't want other families to suffer or for this to happen to them. We want the guilty to be punished," she said.

The Türkoğlu family expects the investigation to be conducted fairly and for sanctions to be applied to those who bear responsibility.

News Source: 12punto