Proceedings of the 13th Meeting of the
COMCEC Poverty Alleviation Working Group
17
population was covered in the health insurance system those with low-income groups who were
exposed to catastrophic health expenditure firstly.
According to the new system, citizens do not need to make any payment to the health center and
the premiums deducted from the income are transferred to the related health centers through
Social Security Institution. In addition to this, emergency health services and intensive care services
are completely free in the system.
Afterwards, Dr. AYDINLI pointed out that the “Conditional Health Assistance Program” is another
social protection practice provided to citizens who are out of the social security system. 35 Turkish
Liras per month for general health service, 35 Turkish Liras per month for pregnancy service, 75
pounds once a month for the birth service, and 35 Turkish Liras monthly for puerperality service
(for a maximum of two months) are offered as compulsory payment. 1,2 million people have
benefited from this program by 2018.
According to the national legislation, health insurance premiums of individuals whose monthly
income per capita (as of 2019) are below 852 Turkish Liras are paid by the SSI. Health insurance
premiums of families with income per capita above 852 Turkish Liras are deducted from their
revenues. The health insurance premium paid in 2018 was 9,1 billion Turkish Liras.
Dr. AYDINLI also shared some statistics and indicators in health area. The share of health
expenditures from GDP was 5,2 percent in 2002 and 4,5 in 2017. The share of out-of-pocket health
expenditures in total health expenditure was 19,8 in 2002 and 17,1 in 2017. In a 15-year period
during which the health system has made significant progress, catastrophic health expenditures
(for 10.000 households) fell from 81 to 32.
Thereafter, he shared statistical data on the health services infrastructure. Framework of primary
health care, maternal care and child immunization, family medicine, home care services, health
emergency services, secondary health care, medical technology infrastructure and the services
offered capacity in Turkey, City Hospitals vision, Central Hospital Appointment System (MHRS),
Pharmaceutical Track & Trace System, 184 SABİM hot-line and national health human work force
capacity were analyzed in the presentation.
Lastly, Dr. AYDINLI provided the data for satisfaction from health services and the increasing trend
in health indicators. 71,7 percent satisfaction rate in Turkey for the year 2017 was above the OECD
average and it was reminded that comparing with the remaining OECD member countries, it
achieved this rate by spending less than others.
7. Perspective of International Institutions and NGOs
7.1. World Health Organization
Dr. Rayana Ahmad BOU HAKA, Manager at WHO Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, presented
the experiences of the WHO in enhancing accessibility of the health services with a presentation
titled “Towards Universal Health Coverage in Eastern Mediterranean Region”.