The state could not even clothe the nurse or the midwife.
The money paid to health personnel under the name of clothing aid dwarfed inflation. The State has become unable to provide even the mandatory clothing and uniforms that health personnel working in public hospitals will wear while on duty.
Under the name of aid for clothing, an allowance of 486 lira was allocated to health workers. It was calculated that with this money several members of the health personnel, such as midwives, nurses, and anesthetists, could buy 2 sweaters, 1 pair of shoes, 2 hats, 1 apron, and 2 pairs of socks. However, the calculation made by the Ministry of Finance did not fit the market. Health professionals, who could hardly buy a gown with the help of the state, had to pay 7 times more out of pocket to buy the listed mandatory clothing.
With a circular published on March 9, 2023, the Ministry of Finance determined the prices of clothing to be paid under the name of aid to health personnel. The Ministry estimated that 2 nurse uniforms can be purchased for TL 209.92, 1 pair of orthopedic shoes that do not sweat and comply with CE regulations for TL 136.53, 2 pairs of caps for TL 72.68, 2 pairs of socks for 18.68 TL and 1 maternity gown for 48.81 TL.
The Genel Sağlık-İş Union bought these clothes on the market and there was a big difference. The union was able to buy 2 nurse’s shirts, which the Ministry estimated at 209.92, from the most affordable market at 1,170 lire. Similarly, orthopedic shoes, for which the Ministry allocated 136.53 lira, cost 1,500 lira at the bazaar. In the bazaar, you can buy 2 hats (bones) for 200 TL, 2 pairs of socks for 100 TL, and 1 maternity apron for 400 TL.
THE DIFFERENCE OF 2 thousand 883 TL MUST BE PAID URGENTLY
General Health-Business President Dr. Derya Uğur said that the aid allowances determined by the ministry were ridiculous compared to the actual prices in the bazaar market.
Demanding that they be paid urgently the difference of 2,883 lira, which the health professionals had to pay out of their own pocket, Dr. Uğur said: “It is unacceptable in the social rule of law to impose the obligation on health personnel to wear a certain outfit and charge the health personnel with the cost of this outfit”.
Mandatory work clothes for midwives and nurses
Clothing covered by the aid – State Paid (TL) – Market Price (TL)
2 nurse uniforms 209.92 1,170
1 pair of shoes* 136.53 1,500
2 caps (bone) 72.68 200
2 pairs of socks 18.68 100
1 maternity gown 48.81 400
TOTAL 486, 62 3,370