Controversial claim regarding MHRS decision: No appointments for women under 25 unless they are married!

According to a new regulation in the Central Physician Appointment System (MHRS), women under the age of 25 can only book appointments at gynecology (women's health and obstetrics) clinics if they are married.

Citizens attempting to book appointments through the system encountered a warning stating, "Appointments are available for married women under 25 and all women over 25 (excluding pregnancy)." While the practice caused a major stir on social media, health professional organizations and experts reacted sharply to the regulation.

The Turkish Medical Association (TTB) Women's Medicine and Women's Health Branch issued a written statement, noting that the new practice restricts women's access to healthcare services. The statement said, "Receiving equal and free healthcare services without discrimination is a right for all women. We will continue to follow this issue until the married/single distinction in the appointment system is removed."

“WE ARE HEALTHCARE WORKERS, NOT MORALITY POLICE”

Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Specialist Prof. Dr. Levent Doğancı stated that the practice is contrary to both human rights and medical ethics.

Doğancı warned, "If healthcare workers act like morality police or the religious police in Iran, public health will suffer great harm. People will begin to hide their illnesses."

“THIS IS A VIOLATION OF RIGHTS AND ETHICS”

Prof. Dr. Levent Doğancı evaluated the practice as both an individual rights violation and a decision that threatens public health. Doğancı said:

“Every individual over the age of 18—whether male or female—is an adult in terms of both law and medicine. Whether they are married or single, their sexual life concerns only that person. Denying medical support for an adult patient's gynecological ailment poses a serious threat not only to the individual but also to public health when viewed in terms of sexually transmitted diseases.”

Doğancı also emphasized that this does not align with medical ethics and that this regulation, which violates the privacy of private life, could carry criminal implications.

MINISTRY DENIES

Following the emergence of these claims, the Ministry of Health issued a written statement on the matter. In its statement, the Ministry of Health said, 'The MHRS provides service without any discrimination, and there is no restriction based on marital status for booking appointments at gynecology and obstetrics clinics.'