If you're a foreigner residing in Turkey, you can benefit from the state health system by visiting a local medical center, particularly the local clinic or "Sağlık Ocağı." Every neighborhood in Turkey is assigned a specific Sağlık Merkezi, where you can visit a family physician with a Turkish citizen or residential identification number, or with an emergency passport number.
Although you can show up to any local clinic without an appointment, it is best to book an appointment online or over the phone for efficiency. To do so online, visit MHRS.gov.tr in the "Randevu Al" section, or make an appointment over the phone by dialing ALO 182.
Most clinics have computers where you enter your details, and they assign you a physician. You can also identify your assigned physician with the help of screens displayed outside each physician's door. Remember that some patients, such as the elderly and children, are given precedence over others.
If your ailment is more severe and requires emergency care, you may be redirected to the local state hospital. Consider the family practitioner as your first step in getting treatment, such as if you have a cold or need a prescription, injection, or essential wound dressing assistance. While family practitioners can prescribe medicine, you may be advised to see a specialist for specific medications sometimes.
A lesser-known fact is that you can get blood tests and several other laboratory tests at local clinics. This includes the basic blood tests for thyroid, blood sugar levels and vitamins and minerals. Most clinics do not have in-house laboratories, so the tests are taken to the nearest state facility. As a result, most facilities only do laboratory tests in the early morning hours and certainly before noon.
Sometimes the results from lab work will come out in the afternoon on the same day, while at some centers, you may have to wait a day. In either case, your family practitioner will most likely request that you return when the results have been released to go over the next treatment step. Besides, results are also updated to the medical records available on E-Devlet if you have an account.
If your doctor prescribes medication, they will give you a code to present to the pharmacy to fill your prescription. Whether you have state insurance or not, you may be asked to compensate for a co-pay on the medication prescribed.
Many local health clinics also have campaigns where specialists will come to provide free testing for other ailments and check-ups, such as offering mammograms and other screenings.
The doctors and nurses are friendly, and they can quickly become familiar with their patients, contributing to a visit to the clinic becoming a pleasant experience.
