Kahramanmaraş Deputy İrfan Karatutlu had been requesting an appointment from Minister of Health Kemal Memişoğlu for a year and a half after winning his parliamentary seat on the DEVA Party and CHP lists. However, Karatutlu's requests went unanswered, and he received no response even after reiterating his request two months ago. During this period, Karatutlu reacted to Minister Memişoğlu during an encounter at the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM), saying, "You did not give me an appointment, I will not shake your hand," leaving Memişoğlu's hand hanging in the air.
In a speech at the TBMM Health Commission, Karatutlu criticized Memişoğlu, stating, "I believe the Minister has caught the disease of arrogance. This disease has varieties such as bureaucratic arrogance, academic arrogance, and surgical arrogance."
Following his unexpected resignation from his party last week to join the ranks of the AKP, Karatutlu was granted an appointment by the Minister of Health—whom he had previously been unable to reach—in just one day. During the meeting, regional issues and solutions, primarily healthcare services following the earthquake, were discussed.
I visited our Minister of Health, Prof. Dr. Kemal Memişoğlu, in his office. We had the opportunity to comprehensively discuss the healthcare needs of our Kahramanmaraş, the ongoing problems following the earthquake, and the issues awaiting solutions.
— Dr. İRFAN KARATUTLU (@irfankaratutlu1) January 8, 2026
The Minister's command of the subject,… pic.twitter.com/97gPIJ9LOA
After the meeting, Karatutlu praised Memişoğlu, saying, "I have put on the AK Party badge; I was already part of this journey in my heart and conscience, and now I am here in body as well. I visited our Minister of Health, and we discussed the needs in the healthcare sector, the ongoing problems following the earthquake, and topics for solutions. Our Minister's command of the subject and his solution-oriented attitude are extremely important."
News Source: 12punto
