Instead of taking care of the fire-damaged ASM, they kept a report.

Source: News Center

A fire broke out due to an electrical fault at Family Health Center No. 1 in Bahçelievler, Istanbul, on August 20, 2025. A week later, ASM employees requested support from the Ministry of Health to repair the damage. However, the Ministry responded, "Resolve the problem with current payments."

Then, an extraordinary inspection team from the District Health Directorate came and recorded a report stating that the ASM needed to be painted and whitewashed within 10 days. This situation sparked a reaction.

Dr. Ahmet Mehlepçi stated that the Ministry, instead of providing support, displayed a punitive attitude through inspections and reports, saying, “However, when similar disasters occur in developed countries, the priority is ‘How can we support?’ not ‘Why aren’t you providing service?’”

Sharing the developments regarding the fire with the public, Dr. Mehlepçi continued as follows:

Neighborhood residents and shopkeepers responded to the fire, which broke out due to an electrical fault. Just as the fire was nearing control, doctors working at the Family Health Center arrived at the scene. The next morning, the situation was reported to the District Health Directorate with a report. On Friday, August 22nd, the District Health Directorate sent a team to conduct an overtime inspection and asked the doctors why they weren't receiving service. The doctors explained that there was a lot of soot, smoke, and soot inside the Family Health Center, and that they were carrying out cleaning efforts. A week later, Family Health Center employees requested support from both the directorate and the Bahçelievler Municipality, but were told to "find a solution with your current payments." Subsequently, an extraordinary inspection team from the District Health Directorate arrived and filed a report stating that the Family Health Center needed to be painted and whitewashed within 10 days.

Family Health Centers (FHCs) provide public services, and these services must be provided in detached, earthquake-resistant, and self-contained public buildings where work can be done humanely. Unfortunately, many FHCs are forced to operate in unsanitary conditions, such as dingy, windowless, and unventilated spaces beneath mosques or apartment buildings. During disasters like fires or earthquakes, ministries and departments, instead of protecting their employees, often adopt a punitive approach through inspections and reports. FHC employees demand that public services be provided in public buildings, that institutions demonstrate a supportive approach after disasters, and that healthcare workers be protected and supported rather than punished.