License revocation decision for 9 private hospitals in Istanbul served in 'Newborn gang' investigation: Two hospitals sealed

Within the scope of the investigation into allegations that individuals working at the 112 Emergency Call Center acted in collusion to refer infant emergency patients to neonatal units of pre-arranged private hospitals, causing their deaths and obtaining illicit gains, the license revocation decision was served to the management of 9 private hospitals in Istanbul, including Özel Reyap Hospital.

A letter was sent from the General Directorate of Health Services to the Istanbul Provincial Health Directorate.

The letter stated: "In accordance with the inspection report dated September 28, 2024, of the Inspection Board and its annexes, and the Ministry's approval dated September 18, 2024, based on said report, I request that the necessary actions be taken in line with the official approvals attached to this letter. These actions should be carried out in accordance with Article 65/A of the Private Hospitals Regulation, titled 'Procedures regarding patients in case of suspension of operations,' which states: 'When the temporary suspension of operations or the revocation of the license of all or part of a private hospital is in question, the directorate shall first conduct an assessment regarding the existing inpatients. The operations of the private hospital shall be suspended after the treatment of patients who cannot be transferred is completed and those who can be transferred are moved to other hospitals. No new patient admissions can be made to hospitals in this situation.' I request your information and necessary action regarding this matter."

Following the aforementioned letter, the licenses of the hospitals mentioned in the investigation—Özel Avcılar Hospital, Özel TRG Hospitalist Hospital, Özel Birinci Hospital, Özel Güney Hospital, Özel Bağcılar Medilife Hospital, Özel Beylikdüzü Medilife Hospital, Özel Reyap Istanbul Hospital, Özel Şafak Hospital Bağcılar, and Özel Silivri Kolan Hospital—were revoked.

DECISION SERVED TO HOSPITALS: TWO HOSPITALS SEALED

Following the decision, Istanbul Provincial Health Directorate officials went to the relevant hospitals accompanied by police.

The teams met with hospital management and served the license revocation decision to them.

The teams initiated efforts to transfer the patients there to public hospitals. The patients are expected to be sent to public hospitals following planning to be carried out under the coordination of the directorate.

After the relevant decision was served to the parties, the signs of some hospitals began to be removed. Police teams took extensive security measures around the hospitals.

Some citizens came to the hospitals for their relatives who were receiving treatment at the closed facilities.

A sign reading "Treatment and patient care services have been stopped at our hospital" was hung on the door of Özel Güney Hospital. Some hospital staff said goodbye to their colleagues and left the building.

Employees of Özel Beylikdüzü Medilife Hospital protested the decision with applause. The employees continue to wait there.

Members of the Bağcılar Ülkü Ocakları, located next to the building of Özel TRG Hospitalist Hospital, chanted slogans and protested the hospital.

SEALED HOSPITALS

Özel Reyap Istanbul Hospital in Esenyurt, mentioned in the investigation, has been sealed.

TRG Hospitalist Hospital in Bağcılar, Istanbul, was also sealed and closed.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The investigation continues into a gang that acted in collusion with individuals working at the 112 Emergency Call Center to refer infant emergency patients to neonatal units of pre-arranged private hospitals, causing their deaths and obtaining illicit gains.

In the indictment regarding the "Newborn gang," which includes 47 suspects, 22 of whom are under arrest, prepared by the Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, the operations of 9 of the 19 private hospitals listed as "financially liable" have been suspended.