Healthcare in Turkey consists of a mix of public and private health services. Turkey introduced universal health care in 2003. Known as Universal Health Insurance , it is funded by a tax surcharge on employers, currently at 5%. Public-sector funding covers approximately 75.2% of health expenditures.

Despite universal health care, total expenditure on health as a share of GDP is the lowest among OECD countries at 6.3% of GDP, much lower than the OECD average of 9.3%. Median age in Turkey is 30 years compared to 43.9 average in EU countries. Aging population is the prime reason for higher healthcare expenditure in Europe. Life expectancy is 78.5 years, compared with the EU average of 81 years.

Coverage

Due to major health reforms in the 2000s and 2010s, universal health insurance coverage for the population was achieved, and the general quality of health services improved greatly, with patient satisfaction rising from 39.5% in 2003 to 75.9% in 2011.

The following medical treatments are covered by the SGK:

Emergencies Work accidents and vocational illnesses Infectious diseases Preventive health services (substance use) Childbirth Extraordinary events (injuries from war and natural disasters) Fertility treatment for women younger than 39 Cosmetic surgery deemed medically necessary

While some SGK-contracted hospitals offer dental care, in most cases, patients must rely on private dental services and are responsible for covering the costs. In addition, patients must partially cover the cost of some prescription drugs and outpatient services.

Statistics

+Turkish data from 2016 unless indicated otherwiseTurkeyOECD averageRankHealth expenditure as % of GDP6.3%9.3%37th Health expenditure per capita$665$3,22337th % health expenditure publicly funded75.2%71.7%14th Doctors to population ratio2.33.2735thLife expectancy at birth (years)78.380.629thPercentage of daily smokers aged 15+26.5%21.81%3rdObesity rate (BMI≥30) (2017)20.0%17%25thCaesarean section among all births53%32%1stNumber of hospital beds per 10,000 population27.351.422ndNumber of physicians per 100,000 population18134324thNumber of dentists per 100,000 population337120thNumber of nurses per 100,000 population2571,09822ndNumber of pharmacists per 100,000 population358923rdShare of out-of-pocket expenses16.5%20.3%16thAntibiotic consumption per 1,000 population, defined daily dose (DDD)39.820.91stAverage length of stay in hospitals, days4.08.237th

Medication As measured in defined daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants per day Turkey had a high rate of consumption of antibiotics in 2015 with a rate of 38.8, double that of the United Kingdom.

Medical tourism There is a substantial medical tourism business in Turkey, with almost 178 thousand tourists visiting for health purposes in the first six months of 2018. 67% used private hospital, 24% public hospitals and 9% university hospitals. The Regulation on International Health Tourism and Tourist Health came into force on 13 July 2017. It only applies to those coming specifically for treatment.

Scandals

In August 2026, the prestigious British publication The Times published an investigation into British patient Martin Currant, who suffered a severe brain infection following a sinus lift and implant placement at Lema Dental Clinic in Istanbul.

Private healthcare

Turkey has a large private healthcare sector, in addition to its public health services. These private health services often offer shorter waiting lists and higher quality services. Most banks and insurance companies offer health plans, and contract with certain hospitals and doctors.

The Turkish healthcare system was formerly dominated by a centralized state system run by the Ministry of Health. In 2003 the governing Justice and Development Party introduced a sweeping health reform program aimed at increasing the ratio of private to state health provision and making healthcare available to a larger share of the population. Information from the Turkish Statistical Institute states that 76.3 billion liras are being spent on healthcare annually, with 79.6% of funding coming from the Social Security Institute and most of the remainder (15.4%) coming from out-of-pocket payments. There are 27.954 medical institutions, 1.7 doctor for every 1000 people"Physicians (per 1,000 people)." Physicians (per 1,000 people). World Bank, n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2015. and 2.54 beds for 1000 people.

Turkey previously had a scheme called green card (Yeşil Kart), which was developed in order to help low-income social group to get medical help. Spending on this system were equal to 40 billion TL in 2010. Due to this fact, the system was reformed in 2011 and the number of people who could benefit from this system was reduced. Following the 2012 Universal Health Insurance Law, the Green Card system was abolished.

Finance

Turkey had the lowest expenditure on healthcare in Europe in 2015 - 6.4% of Gross domestic product.

Total health spending according to the Turkish Statistical Institute data has exceeded 201 billion pounds in 2019.

See also Health in Turkey Turkish Medical Association

References