Turkish humans rights organisations have announced that they are to take Istanbul University Hospital's administrators to court over the death of 72 year old Medine Ercan last week.

Hospital administrators at the hospital had denied the seriously ill lady life-saving dialysis because they insisted the frail lady reproduce her medical card but without a head scarf.

The act, which is said to be in direct contravention of the Geneva Declaration, came as a result of a decision made by the University Chancellor only a few weeks earlier. The university hospital became the first hospital in Turkey to deny treatment to any women simply for wearing a head scarf on their medical card.

Hospital doctors were forced to turn the lady away, despite her grave condition, as they feared repercussions from the administration if they treated her.

The Britain-based medical charity Doctors Worldwide has also urged the Turkish Government "to intervene and halt this draconian and ultimately fatal decision made by the University".

Doctors Worldwide (DWW) is a charity dedicated to the provision of comprehensive medical relief worldwide PO Box 325 Stockport SK4 5YG United Kingdom

Ummahnews
4 July 2002

Ummah News : http://www.ummahnews.com

              

Doctors Worldwide supports the decision of Turkish Human rights organisations to take Istanbul University Hospital's administrators to court over the death of 72 year old Medine Ercan last week.

Hospital administrators at the hospital had denied the seriously ill lady life-saving dialysis because they insisted this frail lady reproduce her medical card but without a head scarf.

This inhuman act, in direct contravention of the Geneva Declaration came as a direct result of a decision made by the University Chancellor only a few weeks earlier. The university hospital thus became the sole hospital in Turkey to deny treatment to any women simply for wearing a head scarf on their medical card.

Hospital doctors were forced to turn the lady away, despite her grave condition, as they feared repercussions from the administration if they treated her.

Doctors Worldwide also urges the Turkish Government to intervene and halt this draconian and ultimately fatal decision made by the University.
 

Press release
Doctors Worldwide
4 July 2002

Doctors Worldwide : http://www.doctorsworldwide.org