Turkish Medical Association calls for increased primary healthcare budget

The Family Medicine Branch of the Turkish Medical Association (TTB AHEK) has issued a call for increased funding for public health, stating, “Budget for health, not for thieves!” During a press conference in Ankara, AHEK Executive Board Chair Dr. Sibel Uyan criticized the Ministry of Health’s current policies, arguing that the government prioritizes curative treatments over preventive care.

Uyan highlighted data from the Ministry of Health’s 2025 Health Statistics Yearbook, noting that there were 1.138 billion physician visits in a single year. The average number of annual visits per person reached 13.2—comprising 5.4 visits to primary care and 7.8 to hospitals—which is more than double the OECD average of 6.5.

Family physicians are demanding improved working conditions, including fixed salaries that are at least twice the poverty line, tax justice, and a move away from performance-based pay systems. Uyan also raised concerns regarding budget allocation, alleging that 227 billion TL, representing 56 percent of the primary care budget, was tied to a fund scandal.