Family Health Centers in Hatay Continue to Provide Services in Containers

Despite 44 months passing since the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş, severe problems in primary healthcare services persist in Hatay. While family health centers trying to provide services in containers struggle with lacking toilets and inadequate conditions, healthcare workers face eviction pressure and threats of contract termination.

Difficult Shift in Containers

A large number of family health centers throughout Hatay continue to operate in containers despite the long period that has passed. Alongside inadequate physical conditions, healthcare workers are struggling with eviction pressures and the problem of finding new service areas.

Dr. Ahmet Mehlepçi, Chairman of the Unity and Solidarity Union, visited the health centers in the region to examine the problems on-site and drew attention to the gravity of the situation.

Centers Without Toilets

It was reported that the Turunçlu Family Health Center, consisting of five units, attempts to provide healthcare services to approximately 15,000 to 20,000 people in containers. It was stated that healthcare workers in these centers, which do not even have a toilet, perform their duties under harsh conditions.

It was emphasized that at the exemplary Turunçlu FHC, a pregnant nurse has to walk 200 meters across a road with heavy vehicle traffic just to meet her restroom needs.

Pressure on Earthquake-Victim Healthcare Workers

It was noted that instead of supporting healthcare workers who are earthquake victims, they are forced to work in even harsher conditions. It was conveyed that workers are compelled to perform their duties in cramped spaces where they burn from the heat in the summer and freeze from the cold in the winter.

It was recorded that while serving in these centers that fail to meet basic human needs, healthcare workers are simultaneously facing eviction and contract termination threats.

Call to the Ministry and Reactions

The Unity and Solidarity Union called upon the Ministry of Health, demanding the urgent construction of permanent and earthquake-resistant family health centers in the region. Reactions were expressed by recalling that the Harbiye Family Health Center was also hastily vacated a few months ago.

Furthermore, it was stated that the problems in the family medicine system are not limited to the earthquake zone alone, and that incorrect and populist health policies implemented have brought primary healthcare services to a deadlock.