Journal - International Society for the History of Islamic Medicine

A Medical Ethics Perspective to Laws in
Public Health in Turkey
Ayþegül DEMÝRHAN ERDEMÝR*
* Prof. Dr, Uludag University, Facultyof Medicine, Department of Medical Ethics, Bursa, Turkey
e-mail : ademirer@uludag.edu.tr
We know that, ethics is the set of philosophical
beliefs and practices concerned with distinctions
between right and wrong; with values, human rights,
dignity and freedom; with duties to others and society.
We all distinguish between what we regard as
acceptable (“right”) and unacceptable (“wrong”)
conduct, although standards and criteria of right and
wrong vary greatly (1).
Values are what we believe in, what we hold dear,
what binds us to others of our kind; values are the
foundation of morality. The law, which is based on
morality, tells us what we are allowed to do; ethics
tell us what we ought to do. The distinctions between
ethics, morality and law are based on the intellectual
and emotional level at which we accept or abhor
behaviour; whether we regard conduct as “right” or
“wrong” depends upon our ethics. Societal values are
the basis for many laws, whether enacted by legislation
or based on decisions in a law court (2).
The developments in the science of public health
caused the modernization of ethics of public health.
In Turkey, we see some laws on public health. One of
them is very important. This is Law of Protection of
Health with the date of 1930 and with the number
Summary
Today, in Turkey, we see some laws on Public health. We can review them from the point of view of the medical ethics. These
laws contain some articles. Ethical dilemmas on public health can be solved with their helps. For example, 52th and 112th articles of
the Turkish Law of Protection of Health and with the number of 1593 is about immunization campaigns. These campaigns are compulsory
for necessary persons. Here, public health doctor can explain this condition to identifying persons as emphatic. We know that
one duty of all who conduct immunization campaigns is to ensure that everybody is aware of the risks. Moreover, other laws such as
Turkish Law of Patients' Rights, Law of Socialization of Health Services, Turkish Agreement of Medical Ethics etc. Try to solve ethical
problems on public health.
In this paper, laws on public health in Turkey are pointed out from the point of view of the medical ethics and some results are
obtained.
Key Words; Medical Ethics, Public Health, Laws on Public Health.
of 1593. In this law, we find many important articles.
According to the third article of this law, Ministry of
Health should prevent the diseases of children, conduct
immunization campaigns to prevent contagious
diseases. Ministry of Health applies these services
with public health workers. These are public health
doctors, nurses and officers. Today, in Turkey, the
developments in public health led public health doctor
to suggest a necessary sequence for the control of
any public health problem (3).
The developments of public health are present in
the faculties of medicine in many universities of
Turkey. The specialists of public health who are
trained in these departments can work in health dispensary.
Moreover, practitioners can also serve as
public health doctor in Turkey. Every doctor should
protect the health of persons. But, some ethical problems
on public health can be seen in Turkey.
In this article, we can explain them. Thus, according
to the 29-56. articles of this law, foreign persons
with contagious disease are quarantined. General
Management of Turkish Coasts applies quarantine.
We know identifying persons with communicable
diseases means that they are labeled, and this can
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