Press Releases and Articles

CPME statement on Turkey

On 13/10/04, 85 members of the Istanbul Medical Chamber, the Istanbul Dentist Chamber, the Istanbul Pharmacists Chamber, the largest trade union leaders, Patients and Patients Relatives Associations, will be trialed for expressing their views against the Government’s policies in the healthcare area.

Turkish health workers went on strike on 6/11/2003, 25/12/2003 and 10/3/2004 to claim for better working conditions. Their efforts were directed at eight-hour workdays, compensation for risk, after-hour pay and better wages. Emergency patients, pregnant women, patient receiving cancer treatment and dialysis patients were cared for during the strike.

CPME strongly objects to this trial.  Fundamental rights such as freedom of expression should be respected. It is absolutely legitimate that healthcare workers claim for better working conditions. These will also contribute to the quality of healthcare for everyone.

Access to healthcare, fair and just working conditions for healthcare workers and freedom of expression are fundamental rights that need to be secured.

For more information, contact:

Secretary General, Lisette TIDDENS-ENGWIRDA:           

CPME Secretariat:         Tel.: +32 2 732 72 02

                                    Fax: +32 2 732 73 44

                                    e-mail:secretariat@cpme.be

For more information about CPME, consult our website: http://www.cpme.be

CPME is a membership driven association with members from the enlarged EU, EFTA and the wider Europe. The CPME represents over 2 million doctors within the enlarged EU/EEC. CPME’s aim is to promote the highest standards for public health and medical practice at the EU level.