Turkey family medicine payment dispute

In early July 2026, Turkish family doctors were reported to be dismissed after taking long‑term sick leave under newly introduced payment regulations that lowered compensation and imposed additional service requirements. The measures sparked criticism from professional bodies, who argued they threatened doctors’ autonomy and access to primary‑care services.

Later in July, the Turkish Council of State’s second chamber temporarily suspended several contested clauses of the Family Medicine Payment and Contract Regulation. The halted provisions included reduced payment coefficients for patients who had not visited a health centre in the previous year, undefined service‑frequency mandates, a non‑transparent patient‑satisfaction scoring system, ambiguous rational‑drug‑use criteria, and a requirement for five night‑shift duties totaling at least 96 hours. The suspension was presented as a safeguard for physicians while legal challenges continue.

Together, the events illustrate an escalating conflict between the health ministry’s payment reforms and the medical community, with the judiciary stepping in to pause the most controversial elements.