LOOKING AT HEALTH CARE
Two trends that have dramatically affected health care in Turkey are the high rate of population growth and the migration of people from rural to urban areas. Between 1930 to 1970, the total population of Turkey almost tripled in size. At the same time, many people moved from the countryside to cities.

The Turkish Constitution of 1982 states that all Turkish citizens have the right to live in a healthy environment and that it is the state's responsibility to protect the environment, public health and reduce pollution. Medical services are free for the poor. In addition to public health facilities, there are also private medical facilities run by voluntary organizations and private companies. Two government ministries, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Ministry of Labour, run health programs, hospitals and dispensaries.

The Law of Socialization of Services was enacted in 1961 to promote the development of health facilities in rural areas. In 1981, the Law of State Obligatory Service was established to prevent shortages of medical personnel in rural areas. Services to remote parts of Turkey are often provided by mobile units. There are programs for immunization and the prevention of polio and HIV/AIDS across the country.

More than 150,000 people work in the public health sector. There are more than 900 hospitals with a total bed capacity of almost 140,000. There has been great progress since the establishment of the republic, when there were only three hospitals and 950 hospital beds.

 Did you know?
     
People with psoriasis often go to a healing centre at a spring called Kavak near Kangal in central Turkey. The waters of the spring are said to be antiseptic, and the fish that live in the spring nibble at the wounds on the skin and help to heal them. No one can explain why the fish do this, but many people claim to have been healed by them.