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Transcript/ScriptUSAGM SHARE
(PLAYBOOK SLUG: TURKEY DOCTORS
HEADLINE: Turkish Doctors Flee Amid Violence, Inflation and Indifference
TEASER: Healers seeking jobs abroad surge and threaten key Erdogan achievement
PUBLISHED: 3/31/2022 at 4:05 p.m.
BYLINE: Dorian Jones
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: ISTANBUL
VIDEOGRAPHER: Berke Bas DO NOT USE NAME FOR SECURITY REASONS
PRODUCER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: Bowman, Sharon Shahid, djones
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA ORIGINAL, Turkish Presidency, Turkish Health Ministry.
PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO __
TRT: 2:40
VID APPROVED BY: Jepsen
TYPE: TVPKG
UPDATE:))
((INTRO))
[[Turkey is in the grip of nationwide protests by doctors over surging violence and worsening economic conditions. The country is witnessing an unprecedented increase in doctors quitting to take jobs overseas, which as Dorian Jones reports from Istanbul, threatens one of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's major achievements.]]
((NARRATOR))
At one of Istanbul's largest hospitals, doctors and nurses hold the latest in ongoing nationwide protests.
((NARRATOR))
A wave of violent attacks by patients and their relatives frustrated over medical care during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Turkish Medical Association 84% of doctors have been subject to an attack with 30 assaults recorded daily last year. Coupled with a collapse in real wages as Turkey experiences 50 percent inflation rates, are taking a toll.
((Dr. Gurcan Bahadir, Protester (ORIGINAL ((male in Turkish))
“During the pandemic, the problems multiplied. We are protesting here our working conditions and the increasing violence against doctors. Every year, we lose colleagues to this violence.”
((NARRATOR))
Doctors are now warning of a growing exodus from the country.
((((Dr. Berkay Unlu, Protester ORIGINAL (male in English))
“Lots of medical workers also try to go abroad. But we want to stay here because Turkey is our country. I have lots of friends — they are working in Sweden, Germany, Britain.”
((NARRATOR))
In the last decade, doctors seeking work abroad have increased 24-fold, according to the Turkish Medical Association.
((Dr. Sebnem Korur Fincanci, Turkish Medical Association Chair - FEMALE IN ENGLISH – ORIGINAL))
“It’s incredible. Is it only the salaries? No, actually, that is a minor problem for many of the medical doctors. The main problem is, unfortunately, the devaluation of the profession. The devaluation of their identities. They do not feel their identities (are) respected.”
((NARRATOR))
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan initially dismissed the exodus, saying, “Let the doctors go.”
((NARRATOR))
But with one of Erdogan's significant domestic achievements at risk — a massive expansion of hospitals as part of Turkey's universal health system — the Turkish leader has said he is ready to listen to doctors' grievances.
((NARRATOR))
Doctors associations say they are still waiting to meet the president, and that until conditions improve, many physicians face the painful decision of whether to stay or leave.
((Dr. Berkay Unlu, Protester (ORIGINAL ((male in English))
“I am really upset. I am really sad because of this situation. After 10 years, I don't have anything. Just attacked. Just low salary. It's not good for me. So, I have to change something, because I am 30. I have to change my world.”
((NARRATOR))
Doctors and nurses are vowing to continue their protests. But for some, hope may lie abroad in search of a better life.
((Dorian Jones, for VOA News, Istanbul))
NewsML Media TopicsConflict, War and Peace
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateMarch 31, 2022 16:32 EDT
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
