City Hospitals and Health Budgets: What's Happening?
Recently, To city hospitals in Turkey Concerns about payments are increasing. In October, only 17 city hospitals 15 billion 491 million 379 thousand 844 liras While the payment creates a serious burden on the healthcare system, the future effects of this situation are also a matter of curiosity. Physicians' UnionHe criticized the astronomical payments made by the Ministry of Health to city hospitals.
Payments Made to City Hospitals
Total payments made to city hospitals in the first 2023 months of 10 83 billion 581 million 12 thousand 148 liras This situation shows that a significant portion of the health budget is allocated to city hospitals. Health budget for 2025 1 trillion 20 billion 317 million 291 thousand TL while it is determined as 104 billion 602 million 82 thousand TLIt was stated that was allocated to the city hospitals for rent and service fee payments.
Not Enough Resources Allocated to Public Health
Despite these high payments made to city hospitals, the fact that sufficient resources are not allocated to issues concerning public health is emphasized by the union. While the Ministry of Health transfers the budget to city hospitals, it does not give the necessary importance to preventive health services and basic health services. For example, HPV vaccine to prevent cervical cancer has still not been included in the vaccination programme.
Other Healthcare Issues
- Measles cases: The number of measles cases, which was 2022 in 76, will increase to 2023 in XNUMX. 3 bin 571 was recorded as .
- Disruptions in vaccine supply: There are serious disruptions in the timely supply of vaccines and vaccination in Family Health Centers (FHC).
- Children with diabetes: Advanced technology sensors are not covered by the Social Security Institution and this makes children's lives difficult.
- Flu vaccine: The seasonal flu vaccine, which everyone is required to get, is still available for a fee.
- Drug copayments: A 10-20% co-payment is charged for medicines.
- Paid vaccinations: Meningococcus B, Rotavirus and HPV vaccines for children are offered for a fee.
- Infant mortality rate: Infant mortality rate per thousand live births From 9.1 to 9.8 has risen.
- Mixed vaccination rate: Five-phase mixed vaccination rate is more than 99.5% to 98.8% has regressed.
Effects of Health Policies
Health policies that view public health only as treating diseases, do not give physicians and healthcare professionals their material and moral rights, and do not prevent violence are not good for our country and our citizens. is null and voidThe effects of these policies on the health system will become more apparent over time. For this reason, the health budget needs to be distributed more balancedly and public health measures need to be increased.
What Will Happen in the Future?
The sustainability of the large payments made to city hospitals is questioned. Institutions such as family health centers and dental health centers, which form the cornerstones of the health system, also need to be supported. Otherwise, the sustainability of the current health system will be at risk. Investments in public health Unless these problems are increased, it does not seem possible to solve them.
As a result
These problems in the health sector do not only stem from the budget; they are also a reflection of an administrative and political problem. In addition to the generous payments made to city hospitals, there is a great need for the Ministry of Health to develop policies that prioritize public health. In this process, steps should be taken to increase the quality of health services and protect the general health of the society.
