Turkish Medical Association's ‘White March’ begins in İstanbul

* Photos: TTB

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As part of its protests with the motto "Our Labor, Our Word", the Turkish Medical Association (TTB) has set off on its "White March".

The march began in İstanbul yesterday (November 23). The TTB members will stop by in the provinces of Kocaeli, Bursa and Eskişehir on their way; they are expected to arrive in the capital city of Ankara on November 27, when they will also hold a "White Forum" there.

Before the TTB members set off on the march, the members of the TTB Central Council and medical chambers, medical labor-professional organizations, non-governmental organizations and political parties met at the Kadıköy Dock on the Anatolian side of İstanbul.

Physicians were carrying banners that read, "We lay claim to the white of our gowns, our employee personal rights, people's right to health in the face of darkness" and "Our Labor, Our Word - White March".

They chanted the slogans "Our labor, our word; wait for us, Ankara", "Multiple voices, a single heart; we will not be defeated", "Equal, free healthcare for everyone", "Health is a right, it cannot be sold", "Trade in health means death", "May violence in healthcare come to an end", "Shoulder to shoulder against darkness", "This is just the beginning, struggle will continue".

The press statement began with a moment of silence in memory of all physicians, healthcare workers and citizens who have lost their lives during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak due to the unsuccessful and inconsistent healthcare policies in Turkey and the world.

'We march to claim the white of our gowns'

The press statement was read out by TTB Central Council Chair Prof. Şebnem Korur-Fincancı. She said, "Today, we began our march in order to lay claim to the white of our gowns in the face of the attacks on our profession and labor and the darkness imposed upon us."

Raising concerns over the collapse in the healthcare system, Korur-Fincancı briefly stated the following:

While the medical profession is being used up, together with its all values, and physicians are being turned into cogs of a rapidly spinning wheel; while our colleagues, who say, 'We cannot make a living', cannot receive a recompense for their labor, which they have become alienated from; while they are forced to work for hours longer than a worker working in the heaviest business line and with a fear for their lives and a risk of being subjected to violence as much as the ones working in the security sector and while they are faced with pressure, intimidation and derogation; our young colleagues give up on working as physicians in this country and are forced to emigrate.

After Korur-Fincacı read out the press statement, İstanbul Medical Chamber Chair Prof. Pınar Saip, Turkish Dental Association Chair Ahmet Tarık İşmen, İstanbul Chamber of Pharmacists Chair Şeker Pınar Özcan, İstanbul Chamber of Veterinary Surgeons Secretary General Erdinç Orhan, Health and Social Service Laborers' Union Şişli Branch Chair Fadime Kavak, Progressive Healthcare Workers Union Secretary General Erdoğan Demir also made brief remarks.

The statement was also supported by the Primary Care Healthcare Workers Unity and Solidarity Union, Confederation of Public Laborers' Union İstanbul Branches Platform, İstanbul Bar Association, İstanbul Certified Public Accountants Chamber, All Pensioners Union, Progressive Construction Workers' Union, Republican People's Party, Peoples' Democratic Party, DEVA Party, Labor Party and the Left Party executives and members. (KÖ/SD)