At the center of the fund scandal: The path to practicing medicine is also closed for Fatma Betül Sayan Kaya
Following her resignation from the positions of AKP Deputy Chairperson and MKYK member, amid a fund investigation involving transactions in Özata Denizcilik shares, questions have arisen regarding whether Fatma Betül Sayan Kaya can return to practicing medicine after her political career. It has been noted that Kaya did not begin her mandatory service in the Bulanık district of Muş, to which she was appointed in 2015, and that the Turkish Medical Association issued a warning in 2017 regarding the use of her medical diploma.
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It was reported that AKP Deputy Chairperson Fatma Betül Sayan Kaya and her husband, İlyas Kaya, invested 163 million liras in Özata Denizcilik shares and allegedly withdrew over 2 billion 200 million liras as of September following this investment, which became a major public issue. Following these developments, Kaya resigned from her positions as AKP Deputy Chairperson and MKYK member. It was reported that a precautionary measure was placed on the assets of Kaya and her husband by the prosecutor's office.
Following Kaya's departure from her political duties, attention has now turned to whether she can return to her medical profession.
APPOINTED TO MUŞ BULANIK, DID NOT START THE DUTY
A graduate of Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, Kaya was appointed to the Bulanık district of Muş in 2015 as part of the State Service Obligation. However, it was stated that Kaya did not work in this position and instead focused on her political career.
The Turkish Medical Association (TTB) also brought up the fact that Kaya had not started her mandatory service in a statement published in 2017. The TTB stated that mandatory service is important for the validity of a medical diploma in Turkey and called on Kaya to begin her duty in Muş Bulanık, where she had been appointed.
The biography information in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) also notes that Kaya is a graduate of the Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine and holds the title of medical doctor.
RETURN TO MEDICINE IS A SUBJECT OF DEBATE
According to the report by Cumhuriyet, Kaya's ability to practice medicine again is being debated due to the mandatory service obligation that she reportedly did not fulfill years ago. In its 2017 statement, the TTB had expressed that fulfilling the mandatory service was necessary for the validity of the diploma.
Following Kaya's departure from her political duties, the question of what the outcome would be regarding her current legal and professional status should she wish to return to medicine has come to the fore once again.