Overview of the Healthcare System in Turkey

This is an overview of Turkey’s past and current proceedings in issues of health, offering a brief outline of political, economic and demographic issues as they relate to the subject peripherally. The role and function of the Ministry of Health, as the administrative authority and its associated departments are also reflected apropos of topics studied. The paper attempts to briefly provide insight into the track record of the Turkish health system, its practice and philosophy of public duty; the current status of major health services as maternal and infant care, health administration, with a view to the overall impact of the new transformation plan. The place of social security and health insurance, the introduction of private enterprise to the healthcare system, the newly launched family physician network are also explained briefly as innovations in the system. Statistics relating to physicians and other health personnel, and general information on their education and training are relayed. Data on hospitals and other health facilities and oral and a summation of issues concerning dental hygiene are also offered.