Migrant Health Care Services Provided by Public Sector in Turkey

Persons who take refuge into other countries for various reasons are defined as migrants, asylum seekers or refugees according to their legal status. Although the legal status is different, the social problems are similar. Asylum seekers and refugees are among the most vulnerable groups in terms of health as they have challenging living conditions, housing and nutrition-related problems as well as difficulties in communication and transport and in accessing to health care and social support services. Our country is constantly facing immigration because of its geographical location, social structure and historical background. Due to the civil war in Syria, our country which has been facing massive migration since 2011. According to 2017 data from United Nations Refugee Organisation, Turkey hosts the largest number of refugees granted 'temporary protection'. According to Disaster and Emergency Management Authority's reports, the current number of Syrians registered in Turkey is 3.545.293. Turkey also hosts more than 300.000 people from other nationalities. Although huge migrant health problem, a big effort is made to provide services and these very comprehensive preventive and curative health care services are largely provided by the Ministry of Health. The general coordination of disasters and emergencies is carried out by the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority. Health care services are carried out under the coordination of the Directorate General of Migration Management of the Ministry of Interior and operated by Presidency of Migration Health Department under the General Directorate of Public Health of MoH. In order to prevent any adverse impact on the health status of both the migrants and the Turkish people, studies on infectious and non-infectious diseases should continue and the registration and surveillance systems should be reviewed. The number of Migrant Health Care Centers should be increased, communication and guidance facilities should be established and cooperation with NGOs should be improved.