The heel prick test enigma: Trustee appointed for 2.5-month-old baby

As a result of a lawsuit filed against a family in Adana who refused to have a heel prick test performed on their newborn, a trustee has been appointed for the 2.5-month-old baby. The father, who had a trustee appointed for his child, objected to the decision, saying, "Is my child a municipality that a trustee is being appointed?"

Murat (40) and Seda (35) Çakmak had their child, whom they named M.T., 2.5 months ago at a private hospital. However, the family did not have the heel prick test performed on their child and refused vaccinations, signing the necessary documents before being discharged and returning home.

TRUSTEE APPOINTED FOR 2.5-MONTH-OLD BABY

However, because the heel prick test was not performed and the vaccinations were not administered, the private hospital reported the situation to the local community health center, which in turn reported it to the Ministry of Health. The Ministry of Health filed a complaint against the family who refused the heel prick test, and a lawsuit was opened at the Adana 6th Civil Court of Peace. In the case, the court took the family's statement and decided to appoint a trustee for 2.5-month-old M.T. During the court process, the family designated Murat Çakmak's brother, F.Ç., as their child's guardian.

"THE TURKISH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION SHOULD BE CLOSED"

Father Murat Çakmak blamed the Turkish Medical Association, stating, "I have another child. When she was born 4 years ago, I didn't have the heel prick test done either, but I didn't have any problems. I researched it and couldn't find any logic in having the heel prick test done. A similar situation happened to a family in Kars, and the Turkish Medical Association stirred things up. They are trying to put pressure on the courts and are victimizing families like us. The Turkish Medical Association should be closed. When you prick the heel to draw blood, it can get infected, and we are worried about that. They can perform the same tests with saliva and urine; they should do that. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Turkish Medical Association have started attacking people as if they are in an agreement. They are treating me like a terrorist because I didn't have the heel prick test done."

"IS MY CHILD A MUNICIPALITY THAT A TRUSTEE IS BEING APPOINTED?"

Reacting to the decision to appoint a trustee, father Çakmak said, "Is my child a municipality that a trustee is being appointed? We know that trustees are appointed to municipalities. My brother will defend the rights of my child, whom I look after, take to the hospital, and care for, in court. We want this mistake to be corrected as soon as possible. I am never a person against medicine. My 4-year-old daughter wants to be a doctor, and I support her."

"THE CLIENT DOES NOT BELIEVE IT"

The Çakmak family's lawyer, Bülent Şeker, said, "The client did not give consent for the heel prick test for his first child, and there were no problems. However, for his second child, our client submitted a petition again for the refusal of the heel prick test and vaccinations. After that, the client's statement was taken, and a trustee was appointed. A precautionary decision will be made. Such a decision cannot be made regarding a healthy child. It is not stated that the diseases counted and detected in this heel prick test will be cured; it is only stated that the progression of the diseases will be stopped. Our client does not believe in this and does not have the heel prick test done."

The first hearing of the case is expected to be held in the coming days.

WHY IS THE HEEL PRICK TEST PERFORMED?

The heel prick test is a test that ensures a child leads a healthy life through early treatment by detecting genetic and metabolic diseases in the newborn period, often due to consanguineous marriages. With this heel prick test, which is made mandatory by the Ministry of Health, 99 percent of newborns are reached, and over 5 thousand babies are identified each year before symptoms of diseases appear.