Doctors under PKK threat to get boost in pay, more security
The Health Ministry is readying a new package of incentives for medical staff working in southeastern and eastern Turkey, which has been rocked by a recent wave of attacks by the PKK terrorist organization.
Some 5,000 doctors working in cities and towns in two regions will have a fixed salary unlike their counterparts in other cities whose pay is based on their monthly performance. Their salary will be TL 10,000 ($3,300) even if they do not treat any patients throughout the month. The incentive aims to deter medical staff from seeking reassignment in other cities as the terrorist organization increases its attacks targeting security forces and civilians. Health personnel working in the public sector are obliged to serve for at least one year in southeastern and eastern Turkey, two regions that have suffered from stunted development due to a decades-long campaign of terror by the PKK.
As a security measure in the face of recent attacks, lodgings for medical personnel will be relocated to the hospital complexes.
A doctor and a male nurse were killed by the PKK militants after the terrorist organization resumed its terror attacks following a lull due to the reconciliation process initiated by the government to end terrorism. Ambulances and a military hospital were also targeted by the terrorists in the provinces of Bitlis, Van, Şırnak and Erzurum since July. Authorities assured the public over the suspension of medical services due to the deteriorating security situation.
Health Ministry Undersecretary Professor Eyüp Gümüş said physicians and nurses assigned to the southeastern and eastern regions already had lower wages due to the low number of patients but they would have the guarantee of being paid high salaries with new incentives by the ministry.
Gümüş said doctors at times were unable to go home after their shift ended due to terror attacks and lodgings inside the hospital compounds will resolve this problem.
Some 5,000 doctors working in cities and towns in two regions will have a fixed salary unlike their counterparts in other cities whose pay is based on their monthly performance. Their salary will be TL 10,000 ($3,300) even if they do not treat any patients throughout the month. The incentive aims to deter medical staff from seeking reassignment in other cities as the terrorist organization increases its attacks targeting security forces and civilians. Health personnel working in the public sector are obliged to serve for at least one year in southeastern and eastern Turkey, two regions that have suffered from stunted development due to a decades-long campaign of terror by the PKK.
As a security measure in the face of recent attacks, lodgings for medical personnel will be relocated to the hospital complexes.
A doctor and a male nurse were killed by the PKK militants after the terrorist organization resumed its terror attacks following a lull due to the reconciliation process initiated by the government to end terrorism. Ambulances and a military hospital were also targeted by the terrorists in the provinces of Bitlis, Van, Şırnak and Erzurum since July. Authorities assured the public over the suspension of medical services due to the deteriorating security situation.
Health Ministry Undersecretary Professor Eyüp Gümüş said physicians and nurses assigned to the southeastern and eastern regions already had lower wages due to the low number of patients but they would have the guarantee of being paid high salaries with new incentives by the ministry.
Gümüş said doctors at times were unable to go home after their shift ended due to terror attacks and lodgings inside the hospital compounds will resolve this problem.