Fewer children die as a result of new Turkish healthcare system

Death rates during childbirth have dramatically fallen since improvements to Turkey's healthcare system, according to a new report out today.

A researcher, from Imperial College Business School, has found that improved access to healthcare for expectant mothers has also helped to reduce infant and neonatal deaths in Turkey by more than 50 per cent over the last ten years.

Infant mortality rates have dropped since new scheme

The reduction in infant mortality rates in Turkey is a direct result of the introduction of a healthcare system called the Health Transformation Programme (HTP) by the Turkish Government. According to the report, the programme has rapidly expanded access to health-care services for all citizens, especially benefitting the poorest people in the country. 

The HTP has also improved access to health services and enhanced the quality of these services for patients. According to the report, nearly half of Turkey's population are now satisfied with their health services.

The findings of the research will be discussed at the Ministerial Conference on Universal Health Coverage this month in the city of Istanbul, Turkey

Professor Rifat Atun, author of the report and Head of the Health Management Group at Imperial College Business School, said: "Turkey has successfully introduced changes to its system, providing people for the first time with the right to healthcare. Turkey now has the opportunity to assume a new role in global health by sharing their experiences and know-how with other developing countries that are looking to implement their own healthcare reforms.”

In 2003, the Turkish Ministry of Health introduced HTP to establish the right to universal healthcare for all of its citizens. Under the programme, health insurance schemes were consolidated to create a unified General Health Insurance scheme, which harmonised and expanded benefits. 

Insurance coverage for the poorest population groups in Turkey increased from 2.4 million people in 2003 to 10.2 million in 2011.  New hospitals and other health infrastructure projects, along with the numbers of doctors, nurses and health services were also expanded. 

This is in comparison to the late 1990s and early 2000s when the Turkish health system faced major challenges.  These included inadequate financing of the health system, unequal distribution of hospitals and other infrastructure, a shortage of doctors and nurses and unequal patient outcomes in deprived eastern areas and more developed westerns regions of the country. During this period, the mortality rates for under five year-olds was 33 per cent higher in eastern areas of Turkey.   

To carry out the research, Professor Atun analysed data on how the Turkish Government transformed governance, financing, the management of health resources and service delivery functions as part of the program. He also analysed data on the health of women and children as indicators of the overall success of the HTP.