President Erdoğan: Why does the encouragement of natural childbirth disturb you?

19.04.2025 17:41

In response to the controversy that began with the display of a "normal birth" banner during a Super League match, President Erdoğan reacted strongly. Erdoğan stated, "Why does the Ministry of Health's encouragement of normal birth disturb you? There was nothing in the banner that would offend women. Should we not take precautions just because you are uncomfortable at a time when our population growth rate is alarming?"

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President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan inaugurated the Bağcılar Women's and Children's Hospital. President Erdoğan addressed the discussions that started with the "normal birth" banner displayed during a Super League match. Erdoğan emphasized that they would not waste time on such nonsense during a period when the population growth rate and fertility rate are declining.

ERDOĞAN: THERE WAS NOTHING TO OFFEND WOMEN IN THE BANNER

Erdoğan said: "One of our football clubs displayed a banner to support the campaign conducted by the Ministry of Health. There was no disrespect to anyone. There was nothing to offend women, as they claim. The intention was simply to draw attention to a very important issue. It aimed to contribute to the solution of a problem that has been a bleeding wound for our country in recent years. In response, certain circles took action. First, they lynched our athletes and our football club, then they targeted the Ministry of Health.

"WHY DOES THE MINISTRY'S PROMOTION OF NORMAL BIRTH DISTURB YOU?"

I ask those who have caused a commotion with extremely ugly expressions. Why does the Ministry's promotion of normal birth disturb you so much? Isn't it the Ministry of Health's duty to protect the health of the nation? If there is an abnormality according to world averages, isn't it their responsibility to produce a solution? What do you expect them to do other than mobilize all available resources for public health?

"WE DON'T HAVE TIME FOR SUCH NONSENSE"

The scientific data is clear. The level of our population growth rate is evident. The threats of 10-20 years from now are clear. I say openly and clearly, we do not have time to waste on such nonsense during a period when our fertility rate and population growth rate are alarming. This is a matter of survival. We will never allow anyone to poison our nation with ideological obsessions, manipulations, or deviant movements."

Highlights from Erdoğan's statements are as follows:

"I hope our hospital will be a blessing for our district, our city, our country, and our healthcare community. With the opening of our new 400-bed hospital, the bed capacity of Bağcılar Training and Research Hospital has also increased to 900. We have made a significant transformation in the health sector over the past 23 years. We have brought a modern healthcare infrastructure that is an example worldwide to our country. With family physicians, hospitals, and the most advanced technological equipment, we are at a level that cannot be imagined. There may be some deficiencies and disruptions in some places. We are making intense efforts to address complaints.

"THE STATE EXISTS FOR THE NATION"

Our guide in politics is clear. The state exists for the nation. The state exists to serve its citizens. We are trying to embrace all our citizens and deliver every service to the most remote corners of our country. We serve our nation with love through our healthcare personnel, whose human resources, working conditions, and personal rights we have improved. Our youth do not know the bad days when finding a place in line was a problem and getting medicine was another problem. They cannot comprehend why our people used to feel anxious when it came to health and hospitals.

"WE WORKED WITHOUT LOOKING AT ANYONE'S VOTE COLOR"

We worked without looking at anyone's vote color. We rushed and provided services. We have succeeded in bringing our country to a position that is pointed out as an example in the world in the field of health. We have a lot of work to do. We are running without stopping, resting, or getting tired. The day before yesterday, we held the groundbreaking ceremony for the Silvan irrigation tunnel. While a new world is being established, we are striving to ensure that Turkey is represented in this new global system as it deserves. We will not stop this struggle until we reach our goals.

For 23 years, we have always focused on the future. We have always set our policies for the medium and long term. Some ideological circles have never been able to grasp our vision. They thought of their own small interests, not the country's high interests.