Health Minister: Decline in Fertility Rate Threatens Family Structure

Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu attended the 'Coordination Council for the Protection and Strengthening of the Family 1st Meeting' held at the Presidential Complex Dining and Exhibition Hall. During his speech, Memişoğlu emphasized the importance of strengthening and supporting the family structure in Turkey, especially in a rapidly urbanizing and socioeconomically developing world where lifestyle changes are taking place. He highlighted the need to increase the fertility rate, as Turkey's fertility rate has dropped from 5.1 in the 1970s to 1.5 today, posing a threat to both society's future and the family structure. Recognizing the increasing accessibility of social media and its diminishing control over external influences on families, Memişoğlu stressed the importance of everyone safeguarding the family structure. He also outlined the efforts of the Ministry of Health through Healthy Life Centers across 269 locations in Turkey, focusing on family support programs, child psychologists, child development experts, and family counseling to educate the public and strengthen families. Memişoğlu expressed the strategic significance of the council in fostering the better upbringing of future generations and assured the Ministry's full support and involvement in initiatives that will further develop and empower our future and society.