Cabinet postpones strike at hospitals

The Council of Ministers has postponed the planned strikes at Dr Burhan Nalbantoğlu State Hospital and other healthcare institutions for 60 days as of April 7, 2026, because they would disrupt the functioning of health services and affect public health.

Health Minister Hakan Dinçyürek made a statement regarding the decision, stressing that “no practice that would threaten human health will be allowed,” and called on all healthcare workers to return to duty.

Health Minister Dr Hakan Dinçyürek stated that political parties and civil society organisations might have different views and solution proposals, and that seeking rights was one of the most fundamental constitutional rights if consensus cannot be reached, adding that the government respected this.

However, Dinçyürek stressed that the right to life, which is the most fundamental human right, could not be ignored, noting that the strikes and protests initiated in hospitals, including emergency services, were unacceptable and posed a threat to human life.

Highlighting that healthcare was an area that cannot be postponed and where losses cannot be compensated, Dinçyürek stated that the consequences of emerging problems would be irreversible in the future.

Within this framework, Dinçyürek stated that the government had suspended the ongoing strike in the healthcare sector and imposed a strike ban, which was immediately communicated to union leaders.

He called on all healthcare workers to fulfil their legal duties during or after working hours and to provide complete service, stressing that everyone had responsibilities, authority, and duties.

Dinçyürek noted that his call was made to prevent regrettable consequences in the future, stressing that public health was the priority and that no practice would be allowed that threatened human health.

He also expressed hope that this controversial situation would be resolved as soon as possible.