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TTB statement on doctors making the 'Grey Wolf' sign

The Turkish Medical Association (TTB) has issued a statement following reports of doctors making the 'Grey Wolf' sign during surgery. The statement noted, "It is clear that the images in question are incompatible with these obligations and are of a nature that undermines trust."

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The UEFA Disciplinary Committee has handed a 2-match ban to national football player Merih Demiral due to the "Grey Wolf" sign he made during the match against Austria in the EURO 2024 Round of 16.

As reactions to the decision grew, many users on social media shared photos of themselves making the Grey Wolf sign.

Finally, doctors making the 'Grey Wolf' sign during surgery sparked significant backlash on social media.

Following the photo in question, the TTB issued a written statement titled 'Physicians must maintain their neutrality while providing healthcare services'. 

"NATURALLY FREE"

The statement included the following expressions:

"Recently, images have been published in the press and on social media showing physicians making various signs indicating their political identities while providing healthcare services. It is natural for physicians, just like other members of society, to have different political thoughts and values. Physicians are also naturally free to take personal stances against the political nature of events unfolding in the country and the world.

However, in accordance with professional ethical rules, physicians are obliged to maintain their neutrality while providing healthcare services.

“I will not permit considerations of age, disease or disability, creed, ethnic origin, gender, nationality, political affiliation, race, sexual orientation, social standing or any other factor to intervene between my duty and my patient (…)” - Physician's Pledge (World Medical Association Declaration of Geneva)

Furthermore, physicians have an obligation to respect human dignity and personal rights while providing healthcare services:

“I will respect the autonomy and dignity of my patient (…)” - Physician's Pledge (World Medical Association Declaration of Geneva)

“It is also the primary duty of a physician to observe human dignity during professional practice.” - TTB Code of Medical Ethics

“The primary duty of a physician and dentist is to show care and respect for human health, life, and personality.” - Medical Deontology Regulation

"THEY MUST REFRAIN"

Like all professional ethical rules, the reason for the existence of these rules is to ensure that society trusts the profession and those who practice it. Our care to “protect like the apple of our eye” the professional ethical rules and the values they represent stems from this.

Since society, just like physicians, consists of individuals with different personal values and political identities, patients will only seek out physicians for their health problems, share all information comfortably, and the profession will only be practiced properly if there is trust. For this reason, physicians must set aside their personal values, including their political identities, while providing healthcare services, and must refrain from any words or behaviors that could lead to the erosion of trust in both themselves and the medical institution.

It is clear that the images in question are incompatible with these obligations and are of a nature that undermines trust. We once again remind both physicians and the institutions that employ them of the principle of “physician neutrality,” which is extremely important in terms of public health, and the obligation to maintain trust."