Health Ministry

The Health Ministry-sponsored Turkey Stem Cell Coordination Center (TÜRKÖK), which brings together bone marrow donors and receivers, conducted its first international cell transplantation on Aug. 4 after a baby receiver in India matched with a Turkish donor, daily Habertürk reported on Oct. 7.

After the prosecution in Kosovo opened a probe into seven more officials of the ruling Democratic Party of Kosovo, PDK - accused of involvement in a wiretap scandal - the party that has long dominated the country is in danger of crumbling, some experts say.

The number of recorded HIV/AIDS patients in Turkey has increased 522 percent over the course of the last decade, bringing the total number of AIDS patients in the country to 11,906, according to a member of Turkey's National Health Commission.

Complaints have started over the problems occurring in the practice of handing over military hospitals, including the Gülhane Military Medical Academy (GATA), to the Health Ministry. 

Public hospitals in Greece are suffering from acute staff shortages, have antiquated medical machines that are frequently out of order, while patients are frequently forced to wait at least six weeks to get an x-ray, the Federation of Public Hospital Workers (POEDIN) said in a report, warning that the Health Ministry is destroying the National Health System (ESY).

Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) has registered the complaints of around 30,000 people negatively affected by government measures to clear the state of suspected members of the Fethullahist Terror Organization (FETÖ), believed to be behind the failed July 15 coup, a CHP official has said. 

Disagreement between Turkey and the European Union continues over the bloc's pledge to assist Syrian refugees, as a member of the Turkish cabinet has said Ankara was yet to receive any financial support, contrary to claims that the EU has sent 2 billion euros.

A proposed amendment by 16 SYRIZA deputies calling for a prohibition of the sale of cigarettes and other smoking-related products at corner shops was withdrawn Tuesday, following strong reaction from trade associations.

Employees at the Dromokaitio Psychiatric Hospital in Haidari on Wednesday staged protest action against government spending cuts in the healthcare sector.

Workers protesting outside the Health Ministry said that the clinic has so far this year received only 300,000 euros in state subsidies from the budget of 4,000,000 euros.

The Turkish Council of State has rescinded a local court judgement of 350,000 Turkish Liras in non-pecuniary costs paid to a family after one of its members died of HIV, which he contracted after receiving a blood transfusion from the Turkish Red Crescent.