Healthcare in Türkiye: Reality and Expectations
Turkey is going through a significant development process in the field of health services. However, some problems experienced in this process have drawn attention, especially in the recent period. The statements of Minister of Health Kemal Memişoğlu highlight the successes Türkiye has achieved in health services. However, in addition to these successes, the realities of the health system should not be ignored.
Health Tourism and Türkiye's Power
Türkiye has an important place in the world in the field of health tourism. Our country attracts thousands of foreign patients every year with the quality health services it offers. Health tourism, contributes to Türkiye's economic growth and increases the quality of life of many people. Minister Memişoğlu emphasizes this situation by saying, "There is an infrastructure and strong human resources that provide the best health services everywhere in Türkiye."
Appointment Problems in Hospitals
However, a video that has been spreading on social media recently has revealed the problems in the healthcare system. An elderly woman’s difficulty in getting an appointment at Istanbul Haydarpaşa Numune Hospital and her helplessness in the face of this situation has drawn great public reaction. These difficulties in accessing healthcare clearly reveal how problematic the healthcare system is.
The Situation of Physicians and the Difficulties Faced by Healthcare Workers
AHEF (Family Physicians Associations Federation) Secretary General Erdoğan criticized the results of the provoked policies of the health system. One of the biggest problems of the health system is that doctors resign from public service due to long working hours and inadequate wages. Many doctors go abroad to practice their profession or prefer to work in other areas. This situation directly affects the quality of health services.
Review of Policies is a Must
Policy makers should not act with the logic of “My citizens should be able to go to any hospital they want at any time.” Access to health services should not be limited to going to hospitals, but the quality and accessibility of these services should also be taken into consideration. Expressing his views on this issue, Erdoğan listed the steps that need to be taken to improve the health system. First of all, he emphasizes that the health system should be abandoned from being seen as a business.
Citizens' Right to Health and Expectations
Citizens who really need it should be able to access health services on time. However, the current system cannot meet this expectation. Hospital queues and problems with finding an appointment prevent citizens from accessing health services. In order to improve the health system, doctors and health workers should be provided with the conditions they deserve, and awareness should be created that doctors, not citizens, should be among the decision-makers.
The Future of the Healthcare System
Although Türkiye’s health system has made significant progress over the years, there are still many problems that need to be solved. Issues such as access to health services, quality service delivery and doctors’ working conditions are among the factors that will determine the future of the health system. Instead of trying to beautify the health system, Minister Memişoğlu needs to face the facts and focus on solving the problems.
Conclusion: It's Time for Transformation in Healthcare
The problems experienced in the field of health services in Türkiye affect every segment of society. Comprehensive reforms are urgently needed to improve the health system. Health tourism More efficient use of potential areas such as, increasing the quality of health services and improving the working conditions of physicians will play an important role in Türkiye's achievement of its goals in the field of health.
