13.02.2025 08:30
A scandal regarding price negotiations on the operating table at a private hospital in Istanbul has made headlines. According to allegations, during the surgery of a patient who was to undergo angiography, the accountant discussed the prices of stents and demanded 50,000 lira from the patient. It was claimed that all payments were taken in cash and that this practice was implemented to prevent complaints related to the procedures performed.
51-year-old B.T., who lives in Istanbul, applied to a hospital in Taksim on January 13 with complaints of chest pain. As a result of the tests, it was stated that three of his arteries were blocked and that he urgently needed an angiography. B.T. was transferred to a private hospital in Bakırköy during the night hours.
CLEANING STAFF WERE INVOLVED WITH PATIENTS
According to allegations, B.T. noticed that cleaning staff were attending to patients instead of doctors and nurses at the hospital, and he refused treatment. However, after the doctors stated that there was a risk of a heart attack, he was admitted for angiography.
BARGAINING WITH THE ACCOUNTANT ON THE OPERATING TABLE
After the decision for angiography, the scene B.T. encountered on the operating table was shocking. B.T. claimed that during the angiography, the hospital accountant entered the operating room and discussed stent prices with him.
50 THOUSAND LIRA WAS REQUESTED
In footage broadcast on Sözcü TV's program "Arena" with Uğur Dündar, moments were seen where the accountant stated prices by saying, "It can be 15, 18, or 20." However, the situation did not stop there; B.T. said he wanted the cheapest stent to be placed, but he was asked for 50 thousand lira for the third stent.
THEY ALSO WORK IN CASH
On the other hand, B.T. claimed that the accountant entered the room without wearing any protective equipment and that similar procedures were performed on everyone who came to the hospital that day. B.T. alleged that all payments were taken in cash and that this method was implemented to prevent complaints about the procedures performed.
"THIS IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE SITUATION"
Prof. Dr. Osman Küçükosmanoğlu, President of the Istanbul Medical Chamber, commented on the scandalous footage as shameful, stating, "You cannot say this to a patient on the angiography table. The patient cannot make a healthy decision at that moment. This is not acceptable from either a medical or legal perspective."
"SERIOUS VIOLATIONS ARE AT PLAY"
Küçükosmanoğlu stated that the situation also constitutes a legal offense, saying, "This incident is against the regulations. There are very serious ethical and legal violations here."
Küçükosmanoğlu continued his remarks as follows:
The additional fee in private hospitals is specified in the law numbered 5510. The additional fee that can be charged in private hospitals cannot exceed 200% of the price in the Health Implementation Communiqué. Additionally, it is prohibited to charge extra fees for certain services. A fee that is not in the regulations is being requested. Moreover, there is also a serious error in terms of medical practice. The physician who is the leader of the team there should have absolutely not allowed such a thing.