[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”!!! PLEASE DO NOT EDIT !!!” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”!!! PLEASE DO NOT EDIT !!!” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”TO BE EDITED – SUMMARY – Click on the WHEEL icon to open the textarea where you can paste or type your summary. The summary condenses the main points for the news that starts below. The summary is in bold and not longer than 300 characters, including spaces. The counter at the bottom can help.” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||20px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
A recent report by the Confederation of Revolutionary Trade Unions of Turkey Research Center (D\u0130SK-AR) highlights a paradox in Turkey\u2019s healthcare system: while the number of patient applications to private hospitals has steadily decreased since 2012, the Social Security Institution (SGK)’s payments to these hospitals have surged.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”TO BE EDITED – TEXT OF THE NEWS – BLOCK 1 – Click on the WHEEL icon to open the textarea where you can paste or type your news. PLEASE USE ONLY THE FEATURED IMAGE FUNCTION on your right column to add the image.” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||1em||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n In 2012<\/strong>, there were 87.9 million<\/strong> patient visits to private hospitals, but by 2023<\/strong>, this figure had dropped to 68.5 million<\/strong>. Despite the decline in applications, SGK’s per-patient payments to private hospitals increased from 180 TL<\/strong> in 2012<\/strong> to 801 TL<\/strong> in 2024<\/strong>, marking a 940% increase<\/strong>. In comparison, payments to state second-level hospitals rose from 49 TL<\/strong> to 282 TL<\/strong> (469% increase), and to state third-level hospitals from 91 TL<\/strong> to 564 TL<\/strong> (518% increase). Payments to university hospitals also saw significant growth, from 180 TL<\/strong> to 1,341 TL<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The report reveals that while private hospital applications<\/strong> now account for only 10%<\/strong> of all healthcare applications (down from 22.7%<\/strong> in 2012), these hospitals receive around 16%<\/strong> of SGK’s total healthcare payments. This divergence underscores the financial strain private hospitals place on public resources, with SGK paying three times more per patient<\/strong> to private hospitals than to state second-level hospitals.<\/p>\n The report attributes much of the financial strain to exorbitant pricing policies<\/strong> in private hospitals, which exceed the rates set by the Health Implementation Circular (SUT)<\/strong>. Additionally, the rise in SGK payments aligns with the structural changes introduced by the Health Transformation Program<\/strong> in the 2000s, which expanded the role of private hospitals within the healthcare system.<\/p>\n