The chief physician of the hospital mentioned in the newborn scandal: We have not received any investigation documents.

By collaborating with the personnel working at the 112 Emergency Call Center, it is alleged that 22 of the 47 suspects, 22 of whom are detained, caused the deaths of emergency infant patients by transferring them to the neonatal units of private hospitals they had previously agreed upon, thus obtaining unjust profits. The name of Istanbul Şafak Hospital is also mentioned in the investigation.

The Chief Physician of Istanbul Şafak Hospital, Prof. Dr. Bektaş Yıldırım, who denies the allegations, responded to questions regarding the matter as follows:

• Is there any document that has reached you indicating that your hospital is mentioned in the indictment?

No investigation or examination document regarding infant deaths has been sent to our hospitals.

• Has there been a child who received treatment in your hospital's intensive care unit and passed away?

No infant has been brought to our institution by 112 during this process. We care for premature infants born in our hospital. We do not accept any infants from outside.

• How can a patient be admitted to intensive care without SGK approval?

First, the patient is admitted to the hospital, and then approval is obtained from SGK. If the patient is an emergency case, the necessary medical interventions are made first, and after all procedures are completed thoroughly and accurately, other bureaucratic processes are carried out.

• As a doctor, what did you feel when you first heard about the incident?

Honestly, it sent shivers down my spine. We doctors strive to save the patient. We make every effort until the last moment without any discrimination (religion, language, race). This incident is so terrible that it cannot be justified by any conscience; as a 40-year veteran, I cannot understand how a doctor could do such things.

• After this incident broke out, families are on edge... Do you have a message for them?

I advise everyone to remain calm and wait for the investigation to conclude in tranquility. There are good people in every profession, and unfortunately, there are also those like this. One or two healthcare workers' actions should not be generalized to all healthcare workers. We doctors, who have taken the Hippocratic oath, will continue to care for our patients and strive to treat them.

• The incident that has wounded consciences has turned into a societal trauma. How do you think this situation can be overcome?

The public needs to be reasonable, follow the incident with a cool head, and trust us doctors. We physicians, with the help of our state, will weed out the rotten apples among us.