Renewed crisis in medical devices: Even emergency trauma surgeries may stop

CHP Ankara MP Murat Emir said that the problems in the medical device sector have turned into a crisis with the increase in the currency exchange rate, and that industry representatives have written to the ministries saying that if the debts are not paid, they will have to stop supplying products from Monday. Emir says "Even emergency trauma surgeries can stop, ministries are just watching the crisis".

HOSPITALS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROCURE PRODUCTS

The medical device industry has been in serious crisis for a year and a half due to the failure to pay the debts of public and university hospitals that have a 36 month-fixed term, CHP's Emir said, adding that hospitals are now in danger of not being able to procure products. Recalling that about a year ago, he warned the Ministry of Health that "You would not even be able to buy a gauze", Emir says that the letter written by industry representatives to both the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Treasury and Finance has revealed the situation.

"WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO MEET THE DEMANDS"

In a letter written by industry representatives to the Ministry of Treasury and Finance, Ministry of Health and the Presidency of Social Security Institution, it was stated: "Medical device companies have lost their economic freedom due to the uncertainty of the payment times of material purchases made within the scope of medical devices. We demand that medical device company payments be made with a maturity of 60 days. Every year, we want health practice notification (SUT) prices to be increased according to the average of the wholesale and consumer price index. We want the debts from medical devices between 2020 and 2021 to be paid to the companies. We inform you that we cannot meet the demands of your ministry until the 2022 purchase deadlines are determined." (EVRENSEL DAILY)