İskeçe MP Baran Burhan welcomes ICU staffing move at İskeçe General Hospital
Independent Member of Parliament for İskeçe, Baran Burhan, has welcomed the announcement of new staffing positions for the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at İskeç General Hospital, describing it as a significant step toward restoring full functionality to the long-closed unit.
In a written press statement, Burhan said the development “gives meaningful recognition” to years of local efforts advocating for the ICU’s reopening, which has remained non-operational since June 2021 despite existing medical equipment.
Parliamentary Pressure Since 2021
Burhan highlighted his sustained parliamentary engagement on the issue, noting that he first raised concerns in April 2021 with a formal question submitted to the Ministries of Health and Interior.
In that intervention, he called for a “permanent solution” for the ICU at İskeçe General Hospital, emphasizing the need for adequate staffing and sustainable operational capacity.
The issue resurfaced in April 2026, when Burhan submitted another parliamentary question addressing the continued suspension of ICU services, reiterating that the unit had remained closed for nearly five years despite repeated government assurances.
Demands for Staffing and Long-Term Solution
Through his parliamentary initiatives, Burhan called for:
- Immediate staffing of the ICU
- Incentives to attract intensive care physicians and nursing staff
- A clear timeline for reopening the unit
- A long-term and sustainable operational framework for the hospital
- He stressed that the ICU’s reopening must go beyond announcements and be fully implemented without further delay.
“Healthcare Equality Is a Basic Right”
Burhan stated that citizens in İskeçe, Thrace, and other border regions are not requesting preferential treatment, but rather equal access to essential healthcare services.
“What they demand is safety, dignity, and equal access to care. This is the true measure of a fair state,” he said.
Follow-Up Expected on Implementation
The MP concluded by saying he will continue to closely monitor the implementation process until the ICU is fully restored to stable and safe operation.
