Medical Case Reports

Biography

Biography: Zeynep Guldem Okem

Abstract

Turkey has made significant progress in health status indicators and access to health services during the past ten years. This has been achieved through comprehensive reforms in the health system known as the Health Transformation Program (HTP) that was started in 2003. Changes in health financing and provision improved financial and physical access. A universal and compulsory health insurance was introduced to the whole population and existing insurance schemes were unified and the family medicine was widened to the whole population. Payment methods to health service providers were also changed to improve efficiency, quality and patient satisfaction. The reform implementations were based on evidence and therefore the correct remedies could be introduced accordingly. While Turkey’s reform experience is shown as one of the successful implementation there are still some unfinished issues. The financial and physical accesses to health services have been improved. Government’s ability to control increased health expenditures due to improved access is as another successful aspect of the reform process. However, controlling health expenditures has been achieved through ad-hoc changes in reimbursement rules and payment methods to health service providers. These implementations have been adversely affecting health service utilization and causing uncertainty for health services providers, namely hospitals, drug and medical devices’ companies. This presentation gives an overview about the main achievements of the HTP by taking into account the extent of improvements in equity, efficiency, financial sustainability and quality in health services. The analysis is based on evidence that is done through a comprehensive review of published literature since 2003. The key lessons for countries with similar problems and some unfinished issues are given accordingly.