Türkiye Proposes 24/7 Nurseries in Hospitals for Healthcare Workers

24/7 nurseries and kindergartens proposed for hospitals in Türkiye

Türkiye is considering opening round-the-clock nurseries and kindergartens in hospitals to help healthcare workers who have children and work night shifts.

Nurseries planned for hospital staff

The proposal was announced by Türkiye’s Health Minister, who highlighted the difficulties faced by healthcare workers with children, particularly those working overnight shifts.

Under the proposed initiative, hospitals could provide 24/7 childcare facilities where employees would be able to safely leave their children while they are at work.

Focus on large hospitals

The initiative is expected to focus primarily on large hospitals, where the number of healthcare employees is particularly high.

More than 1.5 million people work in Türkiye’s healthcare system, and women account for more than 60% of the workforce. For employees working irregular and night shifts, access to childcare could help make working conditions more manageable.

Why the proposal matters

Healthcare workers often work outside standard childcare hours, making it difficult to find suitable care for their children. A 24/7 nursery located directly at the workplace could provide a practical solution for employees working night shifts, weekends and other non-standard hours.

If implemented, the initiative could become an additional measure to support healthcare workers and improve working conditions in Türkiye’s hospitals.