Doctor Rejecting to Examine Trans Woman Receives Warning by TTB

Click here to read the article in Turkish / Haberin Türkçesi için buraya tıklayın. 

Gynecologist F.H. who has rejected to examine referred trans patient H.Ç by saying “You are a man and I don’t approve your situation” has received a warning punishment. .

H.Ç had gone to Beyoğlu District Prof.Dr. Reşat Belger Eye Training and Research Hospital General Surgery Unit on March 31, 2014, following her sex reassignment surgery in a private hospital, to get her medicine prescribed and had been rejected by gynecologist F.H. for transphobic reasons. In addition, gynecologist F.H. had brought a libel suit against the trans woman and the court had sentenced H.Ç who had already been deprived of her right to health.

CLICK - DOCTOR DOES NOT EXAMINE TRANS WOMAN

Examining the application for complaint, H.Ç and Social Policies Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation Studies Association (SPoD) had submitted in cooperation and taking the testimony of the doctor, Türkish Medical Association (TTB) had decided that “the right of the doctor to reject patients is restricted”.

“Rejecting the patient constitutes medical malpractice”

TTB has pointed out in its decision for a warning punishment that “the rejection should be based on a reasonable and comprehensible motivation and not a reason considered a crime and has decided that the practice of the gynecologist had contradicted the disciplinary regulations”.  

Noting that letting doctors from gynecology and obstetrics department prescribing the medicine H.Ç needed was appropriate, TTB has decided that the gynecologist rejecting the patient constituted a case of medical malpractice.

SPoD Law Coordinator Attorney Ezgi Şeref has noted that such decisions were of vital importance especially for discriminated groups.

They do not get treatment out of fear of discrimination

The fear of being exposed to discrimination can create a pressure to such an extent that is sometimes even cause getting no treatment or postponing the treatment.

The results of the study conducted by SPoD and Boğaziçi University in 2014 had demonstrated that a part of the attendants had abstained from applying to the doctor due to concerns of being exposed to discrimination. According to the study, 8% of LGBTI are not getting treatment or postpone their treatment out of fear of discrimination. (ÇT/DG)