Daycare crisis prompts CHP to take action: 'Either open them or hand them over'

CHP Deputy Chair responsible for the Ministry of Health, Zeliha Aksaz Şahbaz, drew attention to the daycare problems faced by healthcare workers in a written statement.

Stating that despite it being the Ministry of Health's duty, it has not opened a sufficient number of daycare centers for the children of healthcare workers, Aksaz Şahbaz pointed out that employees are left in a difficult situation as a result.

Noting that there are more than 1 million healthcare workers in the country, Aksaz Şahbaz said, "They are on duty day and night, working overtime and spending sleepless nights. They are showing great dedication for the health of our patients. However, the Ministry of Health is unable to meet the daycare needs, which is one of the fundamental demands of its own personnel," she stated.

Aksaz Şahbaz continued as follows:

"The Ministry of Health, which has turned hospitals into massive commercial centers, unfortunately cannot find space for the children of its own workers. There are only 55 known daycare centers affiliated with the Ministry. This figure is an outright scandal. While daycare costs in metropolitan areas exceed 20 thousand liras, the Ministry of Health does not offer this facility to its personnel. This situation is a major contradiction and an injustice.

Meeting the demands of our healthcare workers, who spend their labor and sweat for the health of our country, is primarily the duty of the Ministry. As the CHP, we will continue our struggle until the rightful demands of our healthcare workers are met. If the Ministry of Health does not take action, CHP-run municipalities need permission to open daycare centers and kindergartens near hospitals. This problem must be removed from the agenda of our healthcare workers as soon as possible, and planning for daycare and nursing homes must be done immediately."