Recent allegations that an unapproved treatment known as “TurkishBeam” was used on COVID-19 patients at Gazi Yaşargil Training and Research Hospital in Diyarbakır (Amed) during the pandemic, leading to patient deaths, have sparked outrage and calls for a thorough investigation. Prof Dr Cenap Ekinci, who initially brought the issue to public attention, insists that an unapproved and unpatented device was used on patients without their consent, which is a grave ethical violation that must be scrutinised by the authorities.
The Diyarbakır Bar Association has lodged a criminal complaint with Diyarbakır’s Chief State Prosecutor’s Office, calling for an investigation into these claims. “We have lodged a criminal complaint in response to reports and allegations that scientifically unaccepted treatment methods were used on COVID-19 patients at Diyarbakır Gazi Yaşargil Training and Research Hospital during the pandemic, resulting in deaths. We, the Diyarbakır Bar Association, will follow up on these allegations and the legal process,” the association said.
Gülistan Kılıç Koçyiğit, a member of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party, addressed the Turkish Grand National Assembly, to highlight the controversy. “It is alleged that a device called ‘TurkishBeam,’ which lacks scientific validation, was tested on patients at Gazi Yaşargil Training and Research Hospital, resulting in deaths. More alarming are the claims that this scandal involves Mehmet Soylu, a relative of the former Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu,” she said.
Koçyiğit raised several critical questions, pressing the Health Ministry for answers: “Was the Health Ministry aware of this situation? If not, how could this happen? Was the COVID-19 Scientific Committee informed? Were the necessary legal permits and tests obtained for this treatment? Who owns the device, and what was the role of medical companies under contract with the Social Security Department in what happened? Why was Diyarbakır chosen? Were socio-political factors at play?” Koçyiğit pointed out that the issue is not just a health matter but also a human rights violation.
Democracy and Progress Party (DEVA) MP Mehmet Emin Ekmen also demanded answers from the Health Minister. Ekmen submitted a parliamentary question asking, “Was the Health Ministry and the COVID-19 Scientific Committee aware of this research?”
The Health Ministry has yet to respond to the allegations or the calls for an investigation. As the controversy unfolds, the people of Diyarbakır and the broader Turkish public await clarity and accountability regarding these serious claims.
