Istanbul Health Department reports 130 million examinations in first half of 2026

Doç. Dr. Abdullah Emre Güner, Istanbul's provincial health director, announced that 130 million medical examinations were performed in the first six months of 2026, with 88 % carried out in public hospitals. He highlighted the city’s preventive‑care model, noting that residents can reach a family‑health centre within an average seven‑minute walk and that the number of such centres has risen to 1,120, with a goal of 1,200 by year‑end. The average patient load per family doctor has been reduced from around 4,000 to 2,900, and authorities aim to bring it below 2,500. Güner framed these figures as evidence of Turkey’s “protect‑produce‑develop” health model, which provides free, high‑level care to all citizens.

The report underscores Istanbul’s role as a regional medical hub, attracting international patients for specialties ranging from aesthetic surgery to oncology, while emphasizing the importance of strengthening first‑line services to improve overall access.