Trying to get an appointment for an urgent medical treatment and being told come back six months later? Or waiting for hours to see a nurse indeed for a minor problem? What is more – eventually paying a fortune for the pleasure to obtain good care? Sounds familiar, sounds like everyday patient reality in far too many countries around the world.
Yet positive news is to follow shortly – not over here in Turkey or let us re-phrase: not over here in Turkey and as long as we employ due potential patient’s due diligence (see further below my comment about a 180 Euros sore throat doctor’s diagnosis in Ankara…)!
So let us approach this editions subject by looking at the bigger picture first.
Traveling abroad always necessitated meticulous inspection of the state-of-affairs with regards to the host nation’s health care structure. Do we need expensive additional insurance or are we covered via our European health insurance cards? Going outside the EU made matters even more complicated, and costly. As from a British perspective all EU issues have been shelved reciprocal health care agreements between states have become of the absolute importance.
Arriving in Turkey and planning to stay for longer as and when compared to a fortnight away from home has of course different logistical and price tags, respectively, attached. This opinion page contribution is less of a factual summary of the best health insurance providers around as after all this would be untoward free and commercial PR. What your friendly columnist had in mind instead is to introduce the general attitude towards all health topics in Turkey, out of personal experience.
Turks enjoy a trip to the GP, usually…
The Republic of Turkey has seen sensational economic and infrastructure developments being implemented over the best part of the past two decades. One major concern was that whilst more affluent citizens – and particularly those citizens residing in the three metropolises Ankara, Istanbul and Izmir – always had had world-class facilities at their disposal, the situation in the countryside looked however much more grimly. The nearest public health centre was very often miles, if not dozens of miles, away. Think our older generation, consider our children.
Then in the year 2009 the government launched a national health care sector strategy including how to lift all 81 provinces to the same high levels of quality care and as previously experienced in the three largest cities mentioned in the paragraph above.
Thus said, twelve years thereafter ordinary Turkish citizens by now have rock solid trust in their health system.
The positive dynamics go even further: you do not have to attend a private clinic to benefit from all those welcome things. When we were living up in the capital Ankara we realized that whilst private hospitals offer services in more than the Turkish language not all local or foreign health insurance packages would cover their often exorbitant costs. Yet on a truly shocking note, we recall one fateful evening when our young daughter came down with a serious flu and the state health centre was shut until early next morning, so we opted for a visit to a nearby private hospital often recommended by fellow expatriates.
After the nurse told me let us see a doctor and we had agreed, that very same doctor told me my daughter has a flu and a sore throat. We told him that is what we know already. Cost at the time: almost 400 Turkish Liras, at that point in in history the equivalent of a staggering 180 Euros. Granted, we had been very concerned indeed but that doctor’s diagnosis was as amateur as mine or so one would discreetly write in retrospective.
Then the government began to fully understand that whilst a growing number of Turkish citizens could step by step afford private healthcare that a much better strategy would be to completely overhaul and upgrade the existing public healthcare network as hinted at above.
Result? Most Turkish pensioners can use private hospitals at no extra cost should they so choose yet the local state hospital will provide for fantastic care and support anyways. As every Turkish national by now has their former unique tax number intertwined with their identity card number including all children whilst in full-time education access to a doctor or clinic of your choice has been made so much easier.
But when we take a closer look at Turkey and the enormous uphill struggle it had to come to terms with public healthcare versus private healthcare has almost become a non-issue.
And to sum it up in as nice a comment a commentator can possibly come up with without leaving the impression that one would ridicule those patients who can afford, or who prefer, to obtain private medical treatment: I am fully aware of the fact that going private is much more a lifestyle matter than a necessity issue – choice is part and parcel of life in a democracy.
Coming back to the header of this paragraph: yes, our Turkish neighbours and friends enjoy a trip down to the GP should it become necessary but what takes away most of their fears and anxiety is that once over the doorstep a friendly, professional person will accommodate them. Besides, the waiting time will be close to zero as there are a sufficient number of highly trained nurses and doctors on standby. Should a medicine be required the prescription will be used at a chemist’s usually nothing more than a few meters away from either the GP or hospital, respectively.
Maybe it was the good old days when we in Europe had a similar approach towards staying healthy, a ‘healthy mix’ so to speak of almost complete public healthcare coverage with enough private establishments around for those who wish to avail themselves of one of them. In a nutshell: do not be afraid to consult a doctor or specialist here in Turkey should the need arise or should prevention measures dictate such a move.
Most of all: have a wonderful peak summertime during the month of July, enjoy.
