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Health in Turkey
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Health in Turkey
The healthcare system in Turkey has seen substantial improvements since the implementation of the Health Transformation Program (HTP) in 2003, which sought to expand access to healthcare services and increase efficiency and equity in service delivery under the motto "Health for All." The program established the General Health Insurance Scheme, primarily financed through contributions from employers, employees, and the government via the Social Security Institution, resulting in near-universal health coverage. While overall health indicators such as life expectancy and child mortality have improved, regional disparities and challenges in reproductive health persist. As of 2023, Turkey does not conduct systematic health impact assessments, and its performance in fulfilling the right to health—particularly reproductive health—lags behind international expectations relative to its income level.
Prior to the Health Transformation Program, Turkey’s healthcare system faced limitations in accessibility, efficiency, and equity. The introduction of the HTP in 2003 marked a comprehensive reform aimed at overhauling the structure and financing of health services. By extending health insurance coverage and integrating service delivery, the program significantly improved population health outcomes. However, inequalities remain: for instance, the under-5 mortality rate in 2021 was 7.9 in Western Marmara, compared to 16.3 in Southeastern Anatolia, reflecting persistent regional imbalances. Demographically, Turkey is experiencing a shift marked by population aging and declining fertility; between 2007 and 2022, fertility rates dropped from 2.16 to 1.62, while life expectancy rose to 78.3 years (2018–2020). According to the Human Rights Measurement Initiative, Turkey fulfills 81.6% of its right-to-health obligations based on its income' performing well in child and adult health but poorly in reproductive health, meeting just 57.3% of expectations in that area.
Health services in Turkey are controlled by the Ministry of Health through a centralized state system. In 2003, the government introduced a comprehensive health reform program aimed at increasing the budget rate allocated to healthcare services and ensuring that a large part of the population is healthy. The Turkish Statistical Institute announced that it had spent 76.3 billion TL in health services in 2012; the Social Security Institution covered 79.6% of the service fees while the remaining 15.4% were paid directly by the patients." According to 2013 figures, there are 30,116 health institutions in Turkey and per one doctor there are an average of 573 patients. In addition, the number of beds per 1000 people is 2.64. Life expectancy in Turkey is 75.6 years for males and 81.3 years for females, and the life expectancy of the total population is 78.3 years. The three most common causes of mortality in the country are cardiovascular diseases (35.4%), cancer (15.2%), respiratory diseases (13.5%).
Healthcare in Turkey is majorly provided by Ministry of Health and some private health institutions.
The Turkish Public Health Association is accountable for the primary healthcare delivery in Turkey.
Services that are managed, developed and supervised by the Public Health Association are (health related units):
According to the WHO data between the years 2000 to 2017, Maternal mortality ratio (MMR) in Turkey has decreased from 42 to 17 in 17 years. In 2010, Turkey was nearly on par with some of the other OECD countries such as South Korea and Hungary and had a lower maternal mortality ratio than the United States.
Turkey's U5MR in 2021 was reduced by 88% over 1990 levels, while in the rest of the world the total reduction was %59 between 1990 and 2021. Even though Turkey has accomplished to reduce U5MR, it has always been higher than the Europe and Central Asia averages between 1990 and 2021.
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Health in Turkey
The healthcare system in Turkey has seen substantial improvements since the implementation of the Health Transformation Program (HTP) in 2003, which sought to expand access to healthcare services and increase efficiency and equity in service delivery under the motto "Health for All." The program established the General Health Insurance Scheme, primarily financed through contributions from employers, employees, and the government via the Social Security Institution, resulting in near-universal health coverage. While overall health indicators such as life expectancy and child mortality have improved, regional disparities and challenges in reproductive health persist. As of 2023, Turkey does not conduct systematic health impact assessments, and its performance in fulfilling the right to health—particularly reproductive health—lags behind international expectations relative to its income level.
Prior to the Health Transformation Program, Turkey’s healthcare system faced limitations in accessibility, efficiency, and equity. The introduction of the HTP in 2003 marked a comprehensive reform aimed at overhauling the structure and financing of health services. By extending health insurance coverage and integrating service delivery, the program significantly improved population health outcomes. However, inequalities remain: for instance, the under-5 mortality rate in 2021 was 7.9 in Western Marmara, compared to 16.3 in Southeastern Anatolia, reflecting persistent regional imbalances. Demographically, Turkey is experiencing a shift marked by population aging and declining fertility; between 2007 and 2022, fertility rates dropped from 2.16 to 1.62, while life expectancy rose to 78.3 years (2018–2020). According to the Human Rights Measurement Initiative, Turkey fulfills 81.6% of its right-to-health obligations based on its income' performing well in child and adult health but poorly in reproductive health, meeting just 57.3% of expectations in that area.
Health services in Turkey are controlled by the Ministry of Health through a centralized state system. In 2003, the government introduced a comprehensive health reform program aimed at increasing the budget rate allocated to healthcare services and ensuring that a large part of the population is healthy. The Turkish Statistical Institute announced that it had spent 76.3 billion TL in health services in 2012; the Social Security Institution covered 79.6% of the service fees while the remaining 15.4% were paid directly by the patients." According to 2013 figures, there are 30,116 health institutions in Turkey and per one doctor there are an average of 573 patients. In addition, the number of beds per 1000 people is 2.64. Life expectancy in Turkey is 75.6 years for males and 81.3 years for females, and the life expectancy of the total population is 78.3 years. The three most common causes of mortality in the country are cardiovascular diseases (35.4%), cancer (15.2%), respiratory diseases (13.5%).
Healthcare in Turkey is majorly provided by Ministry of Health and some private health institutions.
The Turkish Public Health Association is accountable for the primary healthcare delivery in Turkey.
Services that are managed, developed and supervised by the Public Health Association are (health related units):
According to the WHO data between the years 2000 to 2017, Maternal mortality ratio (MMR) in Turkey has decreased from 42 to 17 in 17 years. In 2010, Turkey was nearly on par with some of the other OECD countries such as South Korea and Hungary and had a lower maternal mortality ratio than the United States.
Turkey's U5MR in 2021 was reduced by 88% over 1990 levels, while in the rest of the world the total reduction was %59 between 1990 and 2021. Even though Turkey has accomplished to reduce U5MR, it has always been higher than the Europe and Central Asia averages between 1990 and 2021.
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