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Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chair Devlet Bahçeli has targeted the Turkish Medical Association (TTB), which has declared September 14 - 18 the week of "You cannot manage it, we are burning out" to raise awareness about the pandemic and press for more effective measures.
The leader of the MHP, which is a close ally of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), has called on the relevant authorities to close down the TTB and take legal action against its executives.
In a statement by the TTB on September 14, it was said, "Every single day, we will keep on reminding the responsible parties of their historical responsibility in the face of their attitude of blaming citizens and leaving the burden entirely on the shoulders of physicians and health workers."
The Association also announced that "in an attempt to raise concerns over COVID-19 deaths and increasing numbers of patients black ribbons would be worn in all medical institutions and living spaces."
CLICK - Turkish Medical Association: You cannot manage the pandemic, we are burning out
Sharing a series of messages on his social media account, MHP Chair Devlet Bahçeli has said:
"An ill-intentioned campaign aiming to undermine our country's fight against the novel coronavirus outbreak and to drive our citizens and health workers to anxiety and panic is constantly gaining ground. We see this, we know who have dark intentions.
"The entity of treason called the Turkish Medical Association will apparently wear black ribbons in all medical institutions to supposedly raise concerns about our deceased people and health workers. This attempt is a poisonous and evil plot.
"What will happen when a black ribbon is worn? What will they say to our people treated for COVID-19 disease? What will they say to the families of our brothers and sisters who lost their lives within this scope? What do they, a disgrace to the physicians' profession who have become a malady rather than an association, aim to achieve?
"If there will be a differentiation between those who wear black ribbons and those who do not at hospitals, is there anyone who has an idea about what might possibly happen? The Turkish Medical Association is as dangerous as corona, it is spilling out threats. To top it all, telling the government 'You cannot manage it, we are dying, we are burning out' is a treacherous plot.
"My call is this: The Turkish Medical Association is fuelling groundless blemishes and suspicions about human and public health in such a sensitive period as this. For this reason, the Medical Association that has the word Turkish only in its name must be closed immediately and without delay. A legal action must be taken against its executives.
"An enterprising council composed of patriotic scientists who keep on struggling against the virus without making any calculations or having malicious intentions must be established and the black page of scandal, betrayal and hostility to Turkey must be closed. It is now impossible to display any patience or tolerance to the Turkish Medical Association." (EKN/SD)
