Turkey's C-Section Crackdown
Turkey Fines and Suspends Doctors in Crackdown on Nation's Record High C-Section Rate
Key Points
A private-hospital obstetrician in Sakarya was dismissed at the Health Ministry's request and suspended for six months over the high C-section numbers, with a requirement to complete training at a state hospital and pass an examination before returning to practice.
Medical professionals describe C-sections as time-efficient for clinicians—about 30 minutes—versus up to 12 hours for a vaginal delivery, and note the procedure can reduce litigation risk by providing greater certainty for doctors and patients.
Dr Ayse Gultekingil of the Turkish Medical Association has argued that punishing doctors will not solve the country's high Caesarean rate, signaling pushback from some medical professionals against punitive approaches.
Turkey's Health Ministry has fined more than 100 obstetricians and gynaecologists for performing Caesarean sections, suspending them from duty and ordering retraining, according to Free Malaysia Today. The crackdown comes as Turkey holds the highest C-section rate among OECD nations — about 615 Caesarean deliveries per 1,000 live births in 2023.
The penalties are part of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's broader 'Decade of the Family' campaign, which aims to reverse falling birth rates and push what the government calls natural births. In April 2025, Turkey banned elective C-sections at private facilities without medical justification.
Doctors Suspended and Sent Back to School
The punishments go beyond fines. One private-hospital obstetrician in Sakarya was dismissed at the Health Ministry's request and suspended for six months, according to Daily Sun. Before returning to practice, that doctor must complete training at a state hospital and pass an exam.
The Antalya Chamber of Physicians says affected doctors faced a range of actions: formal warnings, disciplinary investigations, temporary suspensions, and mandatory antenatal training. The measures target doctors whose C-section numbers were judged too high by ministry standards.
Why Doctors Choose C-Sections Over Vaginal Births
Medical professionals say the incentives to perform C-sections are strong. A Caesarean takes about 30 minutes. A vaginal delivery can take up to 12 hours, according to 24 News HD. That difference matters in a busy hospital.
C-sections also reduce legal risk. The outcome is more predictable, which gives both doctors and patients greater certainty. Critics of the crackdown say these practical factors — not bad intentions — drive Turkey's record-high rate.
Medical Association Pushes Back on Punitive Approach
Dr. Ayse Gultekingil of the Turkish Medical Association has argued that punishing doctors will not solve the country's high Caesarean rate, according to RTV Online. Her comments signal growing frustration among medical professionals with the government's approach.
Critics warn that fines and suspensions do not address the deeper reasons behind high C-section use — including time pressure, liability fears, and patient demand. Without fixing those root causes, experts say, the numbers are unlikely to fall.
Erdogan's Family Push Reshapes Maternity Policy
The crackdown fits into Erdogan's 'Decade of the Family' campaign, launched to address Turkey's declining birth rate. The April 2025 ban on elective C-sections at private clinics is the most direct policy move yet, according to Daily Tribune 24.
Turkey's C-section rate — the highest in the OECD — has long been a target for reform. But medical groups argue that top-down penalties without systemic change may push problems underground rather than solve them.
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