Turkish health care facilities at first glance do not appear to be as well developed as their Western counterparts, however first impressions should not deter you from using the state medical facilities. The Turkish medical professionals are extremely well trained, particularly in the university hospitals. Obviously if you live in or near one of the cities there are better facilities available than if you live in remote rural areas. If you are registered as a long term resident of Turkey, you are entitled to use the state facilities on the same terms as Turkish nationals. Turkey also has a private health care system, which operates alongside the state system. The State System
The Turkish government is responsible for the management of the Turkish health service and there are three main sources of finance; part of the funds come from the government budget and are sourced from taxation, some come from contributions paid by those in employment and their employers and the rest comes from out-of- pocket payments, which each person has to pay when they use the service. If you have a job in Turkey (or if you run your own business) your employer has to register you with the state health insurance fund called the “Social Insurance Organisation for Health.” Contributions are then deducted from your salary each month just as they are in the UK. Your dependents who do not work are automatically covered by your contributions but you can not use the health service free of charge until you have made two consecutive years of contributions. If you emigrate here and do not have a job, you must provide proof of private health cover when you apply for your residence permit. If you are self-employed for example you are running your own business in Turkey, you must make your own contributions, which are at a higher rate than those for employed people, although you will be able to reclaim some of the costs back as a cost of running your business. Under the state medical service you can get treatment by a doctor, consultant or a hospital as well as prescription medicine, care through pregnancy and childbirth and physiotherapy. Appointments with a GP and referrals to a consultant are free of charge,
The First Point of Contact
If you feel you need medical attention, then you should visit your local doctor known as a doktor. When you move to turkey, you should register with a doctor and if you qualify for state medical care you must ensure that the doctor you choose to register with is contracted into the state healthcare scheme otherwise you will have to pay unnecessary fees. You will find that most doctors speak very good English because many of them finish their medical studies in America. The doctor can prescribe medicine, treat a variety of illnesses, give health care and preventative information and refer you to hospital or to a consultant. There are several clinics staffed by qualified doctors and nurses but many of them are privately owned. They offer outpatient care and some specialist services as well as limited emergency treatment, radiology, laboratory and other diagnostic services. It is always best to try and make an appointment to see your doctor as waiting times vary, however if you suddenly need help then you can turn up on spec. Specialist Doctors and Hospitals
If your doctor thinks that you need to see a doctor with specialist knowledge, he will refer you to a consultant. Specialists exist in all fields of medicine from oncology to pediatrics, but there are usually lengthy waiting lists to see them as many now work abroad where salaries are higher. There are three different types of hospitals in Turkey each catering to different groups. The Social Insurance Board Hospitals cater for those patients who pay national insurance contributions, whilst the University Hospitals cater for retired and private patients and consequently offer better care. Hospitals of the Economic Enterprise cater for professional people like teachers and policemen. As an expat who is relying on private funding you can actually use either type of hospital. Be aware that in the state hospitals your family may have to take on some of the nursing duties like changing your bed and bringing in your food. You must be referred by a doctor to a hospital or attend the emergency department. Once in hospital your treatment will be managed by one of the hospital doctors. Accident and Emergency
Every citizen residing in Turkey is entitled to free emergency care regardless of their insurance status The Accident and Emergency departments are attached to all hospitals and are open all year round. You don’t have to be referred to the A&E and you don’t need to make an appointment. Once your condition has been stabilised you will be asked for insurance details if you need ongoing care or you will have to fund the treatment yourself.Private Health Care
There are plenty of excellent private health facilities in the cities, large towns and beach resorts and most of the doctors there speak English and / or German. Private health care fees are far lower than in the West and this has sparked a growth in Health Tourism, whereby many foreigners now travel to Turkey to take advantage of the low cost private medical treatment here. The fact that this practice is not common place is testimony to the skill and experience of the Turkish medical staff. Turkey has numerous private clinics, which offer Western standard environments and service. Most are situated in the cities and resorts, where the population has higher earning power. Some Turks use private health insurance to top up the basic service offered by the state and to avoid long waiting lists. Dental Care
Turkish dental care is of an exceptionally high standard sometimes far better than services offered in the West. Dentists are called dişiçi. And most operate private practices, which means there is not set table of fees and for the average Turk this means that it is very costly. Just as medical tourism has been growing in Turkey, so has dental tourism, which offers treatments for a faction of the price of the same care back home.Stocking Up at the Chemist
Pharmacies in Turkey must be registered to sell drugs – they are called eczane, and do not sell toiletries, cosmetics and other sundry items sold in many British chemists. You have to get a prescription from a doctor or specialist known as a reçete and hand it in to the pharmacist, although some drugs are sold over the counter without the need for a prescription. Usually chemists are open until 7 pm during the week and on Saturdays. There is always a chemist open all day and night in each local area and every chemist will display a sign in its window naming the duty chemist called the Nöbetçi Eczane and his location.
