Transformation and Future of the Health Sector in Turkey 

Turkey has been experiencing a significant transformation in the healthcare sector in recent years. In particular, the Health Transformation Program (HTP), which was launched in 2003, has led to radical changes in this field and made Turkey an attractive destination in terms of health tourism. 

Health Transformation Program and Its Effects 

The main goal of the HTP was to increase access to healthcare and make the healthcare system more efficient. The main changes made within the scope of the program are: 

• General Health Insurance (GHI): GHI has been put into practice so that all citizens can benefit from health services. In this way, a significant increase in access to health services has been achieved. 
• Family Medicine System: Family medicine practice was initiated in primary health care services, thus aiming to provide personalized and continuous health services. 
• Modernization of Health Facilities: Health facilities such as hospitals and health centers have been renewed and equipped with modern medical devices. 
• Health Tourism: Turkey has become an important player in the field of health tourism by providing affordable and quality health services. Many foreign patients prefer Turkey, especially for plastic surgery, dental treatments and eye surgeries. 

Current Situation and Statistics 

With the implementation of the Health Transformation Program, Turkey has recorded significant improvements in health indicators. For example: 

• Infant Mortality Rate: The infant mortality rate, which was 28 per thousand in 2003, decreased to 9 per thousand as of 2023. 
• Life Expectancy: While life expectancy in Turkey was 70.6 years in 2003, it increased to 78.4 years in 2023. 
• Health Expenditures: Approximately 5% of Turkey’s gross domestic product (GDP) is allocated to health expenditures. Although this rate is below the average of OECD countries, it is constantly increasing with increasing access to health services. 

Future Expectations and Goals 

• Turkey has set various goals to achieve world standards in the health sector and to be among the leading countries in health tourism. These goals include: 
• Technological Innovation: It is aimed to ensure digital transformation in healthcare services and to disseminate telehealth applications. E-health applications will provide patients with easy access to health information and improve the quality of healthcare services. 
• R&D Investments: It is aimed to encourage research and development activities in the field of health and to increase domestic production in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors. 
• Health Tourism: Turkey focuses on international marketing activities to increase revenues from health tourism and offers special service packages for health tourists. 
• Education and Human Resources: Various programs and incentives are implemented for the continuous education and development of health professionals, thus improving the quality of health services. 

Turkey has made significant progress with the transformation it has made in the health sector and the policies it has developed. With the Health Transformation Program, access to health services has been increased and significant improvements have been achieved in health indicators. In the future, Turkey is expected to move forward in the health sector with technological innovations, R&D investments and strategies in the field of health tourism. These developments in the health sector make Turkey an attractive health center not only for its citizens but also for patients from around the world. 

SOURCES:

dergipark.org.tr/…

www.saglik.gov.tr/…