Growing reactions to the transfer of anesthesiologists from Gümülcine Hospital to İskeçe Hospital

The Thrace Hospital and Health Center Doctors' Union has voiced its support for the anesthesiologists of Gümülcine Hospital, demanding an immediate halt to their transfer to İskeçe Hospital and calling for urgent staffing reinforcements.

In a letter addressed to the 4th Health Region Administration and the administrations of both Gümülcine and İskeçe Hospitals, the union stated:

“In the letter sent by all anesthesiologists of Sismanoglio Gümülcine General Hospital, our colleagues describe the grim working and scientific conditions they face. They warn that if the Ministry of Health and the 4th Health Region Administration fail to take effective measures to prevent the ongoing disintegration of the Anesthesiology Department of the National Health System at Gümülcine General Hospital, they may resort to mass resignations.

Even a cursory reading of our colleagues’ statements makes it clear that there is no room for the Ministry and the Health Administration to misrepresent the situation or offer excuses. The pretext of covering ‘urgent needs’ has long since collapsed.

At the same time, the systematic depletion of Gümülcine General Hospital continues, with not only anesthesiologists but also other critical specialists—including pathologists, general practitioners, and pediatricians—being transferred to İskeçe. This has further exacerbated the already strained operational conditions at Gümülcine Hospital, worsening the ‘barbaric’ working conditions for all medical staff.

As the Thrace Hospital and Health Center Doctors' Union, beyond our longstanding disagreement with the ineffective implementation of the transfer policy, we strongly condemn the administrations of both hospitals, the leadership of the 4th Health Region, and the political leadership of the Ministry of Health for deliberately undermining the value of these two hospitals through their transfer policies.

In solidarity with our colleagues, we demand:

• An immediate halt to the doctor transfers,
• Urgent staffing reinforcements for İskeçe General Hospital,
• The preservation of the Clinics and Departments of both Gümülcine and İskeçe State Hospitals, ensuring that both hospitals can continue their operations in a manner that is ethically and socially sustainable.”