Turkey’s health ministry has imposed fines on more than 100 obstetrician-gynaecologists for performing cesarean sections, suspending them from duty and requiring them to undergo additional training.
The punitive measures target a medical practice that has become deeply entrenched in the country’s healthcare system, where C-sections are often viewed by medical staff as more time-efficient than natural births, taking approximately 30 minutes compared to 12 hours for traditional delivery.
The crackdown comes as Turkey records the highest rate of C-sections globally, a trend that has drawn criticism from health experts concerned about long-term maternal and infant health outcomes.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has publicly advocated for 'natural' births, framing the issue as a matter of national health priority rather than mere medical preference.
The government’s intervention marks a significant escalation in its efforts to reshape clinical practices across the country’s hospitals.
While the immediate impact on financial markets is limited, the policy shift underscores broader regulatory tightening in Turkey’s public sector.