The Turkish health system has made significant progress in recent years. This development has significantly improved the quality and accessibility of health services. As a result of investments in the health system, the number and quality of health facilities and hospitals in terms of infrastructure have increased. At the same time, the number and training level of staff has also been raised.
International students who are in Turkey for the duration of their official residence in Turkey are required to have health insurance. In this sense, it is sufficient for the student coming to Turkey to have one of the various health insurance in order to benefit from health services. There are two health insurance options for international students. These are general health insurance and private health insurance. Renewing your private or general health insurance every year is both a legal obligation and saves you from paying treatment fees for an unexpected health problem.
General Health Insurance
Another health insurance option for foreigners in Turkey is General Health Insurance (GHI). This type of insurance is regulated by the Social Security Institution of the Republic of Turkey and entitles you to free treatment in all public hospitals. In this way, you can get your prescription medicines with a very low co-payment. However, it is important to note that you must apply for GHI within three months of your university enrollment.
Private Health Insurance
In Turkey, private health insurance policies are available for foreigners. These policies are designed to make it easier for foreigners to benefit from health services in Turkey. However, the coverage of these policies is limited and only valid in hospitals contracted with the insurance company. Therefore, foreigners are advised to research carefully and examine the coverage of the policy and the hospitals where it is valid before taking out a private health insurance policy.
Finally, it is worth reminding that individual policies can range between 40-45 dollars per year and offer free services at contracted hospitals within limits specified in the policy. General Health Insurance costs 130 dollars per year. With this insurance, you can receive free services in all public hospitals, but you may have to pay co-payments in private hospitals. It is important to obtain a copy of your policy in English and read the conditions carefully.
Pharmacies in Turkey are open until 7:00 p.m., except on Sundays. After this time and on Sundays, several pharmacies provide on-call services. Emergency departments of hospitals and university health centers are always available for emergencies. The ambulance service number that can be called free of charge from anywhere in Turkey is 112.