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Turkey fines obstetricians over cesarean sections as birth-rate push grows

Turkey’s health ministry fined more than 100 obstetrician-gynaecologists, and last year the government began efforts to curb elective C-sections at private facilities without medical justification.

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Turkey’s health ministry has fined more than 100 obstetrician-gynaecologists for performing cesarean sections, suspending them from duty and requiring additional training, according to Agence France-Presse via SCMP Economy.

The crackdown is tied to Turkey’s high cesarean rate, which is the highest among OECD countries, with about 615 C-sections per 1,000 live births in 2023. SCMP Economy reports medical professionals have said C-sections can be more time-efficient for staff, and can reduce legal exposure for complications.

Turkey has also been pushing to address falling birth rates under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s “Decade of the Family” initiative, and Erdogan has promoted so-called natural births. SCMP Economy notes that in April 2025, the Turkish government banned elective C-sections at private healthcare facilities unless there is medical justification.

Turkish media cited figures from medical associations, and the measures sparked a backlash from healthcare professionals, SCMP Economy reports.

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