Vural NASUHBEYOĞLU
İstanbul
Health workers who struggled at the forefront of the fight against the epidemic and many of them lost their lives in the period before the measures and vaccination. More than 400 health workers have died due to Covid-19. Health workers who were first vaccinated and were in the group with higher vaccination rates than the national average started to receive reports of deaths again on the last return. With the onset of vaccination, we discussed the resumption of deaths that had stopped amongst health professionals for some time and the causes of it with Prof. Dr. Sebnem Korur Fincanci, chair of the Central Council of the Turkish Medical Association (TTB).
DEATHS THAT DID NOT OCCUR FOR SOME TIME ARE BACK AGAIN
Reminding that we have also seen increases in the deaths of health workers during the periods of the epidemic, TTB Chair Fincanci said, "When the vaccine came to Turkey and vaccination started, a certain decrease in health workers' deaths even came to a standstill. This was important both for the prevention of deaths and for the effect of vaccines." However, noting that we have recently started to encounter the deaths of medics that we have not heard of, Fincanci said, "Unfortunately, we see that the healthcare workers who died were either not vaccinated or unfortunately did not have the 3rd booster dose after having 2 doses of Coronavac vaccine. Therefore, the recent re-experienced healthcare worker deaths also show us the importance of vaccination."
CHAMBERS OF MEDICINE LAUNCH INVESTIGATIONS
Fincanci reminded that while there is scientific evidence that the vaccine is effective and protective, some health professionals and doctors agree with the rational and unscientific explanations that vaccine opponents are trying to spread, and said that chambers of medical doctors evaluate the procedures arising from professional practices related to physicians and attitudes contrary to professional practices. Fincanci said that the necessary investigations have been initiated by the Istanbul Chamber of Medicine for some physicians who make anti-vaccination statements in Istanbul due to their statements that threaten public health, and said, "If there is an aspect that threatens public health, an investigation is opened and the doctor's defense is heard."
CHAMBERS OF MEDICINE HAVE ABILITY TO PERFORM DISCIPLINARY ACTION
Fincanci pointed out that the regulations brought about by 1980 Turkish coup d'état which are aimed at limiting the powers of professional organizations, are being extended by decree laws today: ‘This way doctors don’t have to be a member of a chamber of medicine and use this in a way that they couldn’t be investigated.’ But the Council of State has a decision that the medical chambers have the authority to take disciplinary action, whether they are members or not." Fincanci stated that the trade body is not a penal organization, but it takes the necessary actions against physicians who threaten public health.
THREAT TO PUBLIC HEALTH
Noting that he has colleagues who reject scientific knowledge about vaccines not only in Turkey but also around the world, Fincanci said, "Of course, the misuse of science and its relationship with capital also creates frustrations in people." Pointing out that a physician's negative thoughts about the vaccine have a much more damaging effect on the public, Fincanci said, "The statements made, the statements they claim to be based on, are not based on a scientific study. But of course, society has no way of discerning it. People say, "A doctor says this. We have to trust this." This seriously threatens public health."
NO STEPS TAKEN FOR WIDESPREAD DELIVERY
Fincanci emphasized that the Ministry of Health has not taken the right step in the fight against the epidemic from the beginning and has not followed the right method regarding vaccination and anti-vaccination. You make an appointment to run after the vaccine. However, when there is a global epidemic, what the health authority should do is deliver the vaccine to the community in the most widespread way. Individuals should not be vaccinated by their own choice and effort, but the health authority should have delivered the vaccine widely. For example, setting up mobile vaccination stations, widespread vaccination in the workplace. This was not done, necessary steps were not taken for widespread vaccination. There can be no vaccination campaign by sending two tweets on Twitter."
"TWO PCR TESTS A WEEK IS NOT UNDERSTANDABLE, IT IS IMPERATIVE FOR TEACHERS TO BE VACCINATED"
If there are vaccines that are known to be effective and safe, there should be an obligation to vaccinate, Fincancı said. It can't be an individual choice. Therefore, it is imperative that teachers, health workers, those who have to live collectively in care homes and prisons are also vaccinated. In addition, public health measures should not be abandoned."
5-MONTH BAN FROM THE PROFESSION FOR ANTI-VAXXER DENTIST
On the other hand, Dentist Mahmut D, who works in Ankara, was investigated by the Ankara Chamber of Dentists for posting anti-Covid-19 vaccine posts on social media. As a result of the investigation, it was decided that the posts were "incompatible with the responsibility of medicine and misuse of professional identity". Mahmut D. will not be able to practice dentistry for 5 months.
Ceren Sözeri
Yusuf Karadaş
Aras Coşkuntuncel