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The Healthcare system in Turkey is slightly complicated since there are several different plans and departments involved in this sector. The Ministry of Health in Turkey is the main governing body for the provision of healthcare services. The Healthcare system in the country is divided into two categories namely the State system and private healthcare. Healthcare in Turkey is financed from three sources, i) the government budget, funded by taxation revenue; ii) contributions from working employees, and iii) from out-of-pocket payments by individuals who utilise the healthcare service.
To enjoy the State healthcare, employees are required to make monthly contribution towards national insurance through a deduction on salary. The State healthcare covers most medical services including treatment by specialists, hospitalisation, prescriptions, pregnancy and rehabilitation. Private healthcare plans usually provide more benefits like higher grade hospitals with better facilities, more specialised staff and private rooms.
Private hospitals can be found in major cities in Turkey, for example, Istanbul, Izmir, Kusadasi, Bodrum, Marmaris and Alanya. Many doctors and physicians often initiate their training in Turkey and then go abroad to countries like USA, UK or Germany for further study. As a result, the doctors are not only well-trained and skilled, they are also usually fluent in English and experienced at working with people of different nationalities.
In general, there are three types of hospitals available in Turkey. First type being the State-funded Hospitals, these are used by the people (and their families) who have contributed to the national insurance. The standard of this type of hospital is, however, not very high. The second type is the University hospitals, these hospitals are used by retirees and private patients. The University Hospitals have the highest standard among the three types of hospitals described. The third type is the Hospitals of the Economic Enterprise, mainly for people with a profession such as policemen, teachers, etc. Patients are admitted to the relevant hospitals either through emergency or through referral by their doctor.
Like in any system, there are always some issues. The total healthcare expenditure as a % of GDP in Turkey is about 5.6%, which is much lower than 15.3% in the USA. State-funded hospitals suffer from overcrowding, lack of finances, and medical equipment is outdated and suffers from a lack of maintenance; consequently healthcare services provided in this sector are very basic. There is also a shortage of nurses; in some cases families have to take on duties of the hospital staff, for example, changing beds. No meals are provided to patients in the State hospitals, patients are required to rely on friends and family for food during their stay. Moreover, State hospitals are always critically in shortage of blood, you may have to bring your own donors for blood transfusion. Knowing the blood type of your friends and families will be an advantage.
Healthcare in Turkey will vary between regions, little healthcare service can be found in the countryside and rural areas, only small number of doctors and hospitals exists in these areas. Most hospitals and doctors are concentrated in the cities where there are more people and can generate higher profit.
Doctors in general receive a uniform monthly salary across the public sector. On the other hand, doctors working in private hospitals earn a much higher salary than those doctors in the public sector. Doctors in private hospitals are paid for working overtime and they receive an extensive payment for working night shifts. This may mean that the chance for getting better quality medical treatment is much higher in private sector than in the public care.
All residents, or legally employed personnel, of Turkey are entitled to State healthcare. However, to foreigners, the hospitals standards may generally be below those that visitors were used to in their home country. Moreover, for people who are not entitled to the State healthcare but admitted to a State hospital during emergency, they are still required to pay for the stay. It is therefore very important to ensure that you and your family are fully protected by medical and health insurance.
Globalsurance is a one-stop insurance brokerage service provider for you when travelling to Turkey. We offer a wide range of policies to meet your individual needs, including benefits such as dental, maternity, inpatient, outpatient, specialist consultations and many others. Contact our professional advisers today to enjoy a full insurance protection such as Expat Health Insurance for yourself and your family.
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