Dozens of Turkish Healthcare Workers Go On Trial Accused Of Causing The Deaths Of 10 Infants

Doctors, nurses and an ambulance driver are among 47 people on trial accused of causing deaths of 10 infants as part of an alleged scheme to defraud Turkey’s social security system.

defendants are accused of transferring babies to neonatal units of 19 private hospitals where infants were allegedly kept for prolonged and sometimes unnecessary treatments.

At least 10 newborns are alleged to have died in past year due to neglect or malpractice in facilities that were unprepared to treat m.

Prosecutors at trial, which opened in Istanbul on Monday, say defendants also falsified reports to make babies’ condition appear more serious with aim obtaining payments from social security institution.

main defendants have denied any wrongdoing, insisting y me best possible decisions and face punishment for unavoidable unwanted outcomes.

case, which emerged last month, has sparked public outrage and calls for a greater oversight of health care system.

Authorities have since revoked licenses and closed nine of 19 hospitals that were implicated in scandal.

Dr. Firat Sari, main defendant who operated neonatal intensive care units of several private hospitals in Istanbul, is facing a sentence of up to 583 years in prison.

He is charged with establishing an organization with aim of committing a crime, defrauding public institutions, forgery of official documents, and homicide by negligence.

During questioning by prosecutors, Sari denied accusations that babies were not given proper care, that neonatal units were understaffed or that his employees were not appropriately qualified, according to a 1,400-page indictment.

He told prosecutors: “Everything is in accordance with procedures.”

case has led to calls for resignation of Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu, who was Istanbul provincial health director at time some of deaths occurred.

Ozgur Ozel, main opposition party leer, has called for all hospitals involved to be seized by state and nationalized.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said those responsible for deaths would be severely punished but warned against placing all blame on country’s health care system.

“We will not allow our health care community to be battered because of a few rotten apples,” said Erdogan.

Over 350 families have petitioned prosecutors or or state institutions for an investigation into deaths of ir loved ones.