Türkiye Health Sector Achievements 2026

May 25, 2026 - 10:27

A new infographic released by UNHCR on May 25, 2026, highlights significant progress in Turkey's health sector over the past year. The data shows a marked improvement in both infrastructure and service delivery, particularly in regions hosting large refugee populations.

According to the report, Turkey has expanded its network of primary healthcare facilities by 12 percent since 2024, with a focus on rural and underserved areas. The number of fully equipped family medicine centers has surpassed 9,000 nationwide, ensuring that over 85 percent of the population now has access to a primary care physician within a 30-minute travel radius.

Child vaccination rates have reached a record high of 96 percent, driven by targeted campaigns in southeastern provinces. The initiative also included mobile health units that reached over 200,000 displaced individuals living in temporary accommodation centers. Maternal health indicators have similarly improved, with the maternal mortality rate dropping by 18 percent compared to 2023 figures.

Mental health services have been expanded as part of a broader push toward integrated care. The government has trained over 4,000 community health workers to provide psychosocial support, particularly for survivors of the February 2023 earthquakes. These workers have conducted more than 1.5 million counseling sessions over the past 18 months.

The infographic also notes that Turkey now hosts the largest refugee healthcare program in the world, covering over 3.5 million registered refugees under the national health insurance scheme. Emergency room wait times have been reduced by an average of 22 minutes across major urban hospitals.

While challenges remain, including regional disparities in specialist availability, the 2026 data suggests that Turkey's health sector is on a steady trajectory of improvement, balancing the needs of its citizens with its humanitarian commitments.