The Turkish Ministry of Health has sanctioned over 100 gynecologists for cesarean sections, in the context of a campaign to reduce births through surgical interventions.

The Turkish Ministry of Health has fined or suspended over 100 obstetrician-gynecologists who performed cesarean sections, according to the publication BirGun. Turkey has the highest cesarean section rate among OECD countries, with approximately 615 procedures per 1,000 live births in 2023.

The Turkish government, led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, launched the "Decade of Family" campaign to counteract the declining birth rate, aiming to promote natural childbirth. In April 2025, the government banned elective cesarean sections in private clinics without medical justification.

The sanctions imposed on doctors have sparked protests among health professionals, who believe that the issue of high cesarean rates is a structural one, related to the healthcare system. Cesarean sections are preferred by doctors for their efficiency and for reducing legal risks.