2011 has seen a number of changes to the way in which medical services are delivered in Turkey.

KTLN would like to bring you up to speed on what this means for people in Kalkan.

Please note that the changes are significant, and we have updated a number of KTLN pages, including the one relating to medical emergencies.

If you have printed off this information,to be referred to in an emergency, we would advise you to check out the new pages, and consider printing off the revised pages.

Background
The Turkish government introduced big changes to the health service at the end of 2010.  One of the main changes was the introduction of a family doctor service - a bit like the GP service in the UK.

In January 2011, KTLN reported these changes, and advised foreign residents to register their details with the local doctors.  You can read our earlier news article here.

If you are a foreign resident, (with an ikamet), and you have not already registered, we would recommend that you do so.  As a registered person, you are entitled to free consultations, and free treatment for minor medical conditions.  You also qualify for a free ride in the emergency (112) ambulance, if you are unlucky enough to need one.

If you reside in Kalkan, and do the 90 day visa run, you can't register, and you will therefore pay for all treatment you need, unless you have private health insurance.

Universal Health Insurance (UHI)
And speaking of health insurance, last year, there was also news of a new requirement for foreigners to register with the SGK, the Turkish government's health service, under the Universal Health Insurance (UHI) scheme.  There is no free NHS in Turkey.

Back then, we were told that foreigners had to register with SGK by October 2010, but then suddenly, everything was put on hold.  The big question now is whether SGK health insurance is compulsory or not. 

It is possible to get perfectly good private health insurance, but it is pointless to do so, if you then have to pay again to be in the state scheme.

Against this background of uncertainty, we know that some people have opted for private health insurance, whilst others have managed to get SGK cover.  We also know of people who have applied for SGK and come up against problems.  It's all very confusing right now.  Everyone is waiting for clarification on this, and KTLN recently asked the British Embassy for an update.  When there is something definite to report, we will let you know.

In the meantime, if you are a foreigner living in Turkey, and you have no health insurance, you will have to pay for any treatment you require.  If you are a visitor with no travel insurance, the same applies - you have to pay.

The Medical Centre/Family Health Centre
This was formerly called the Medical Centre on Kalamar Road, but is now known as the Family Health Centre.

It's opening hours have changed.  They used to be different in season and out of season, but now they are the same all year round.

You can now visit the centre Monday to Friday from 09.00 to 17.00.  There is no service at the weekend.

There is a ticketing system in operation to ensure people are seen on a first come first served basis.  If you can speak Turkish, you can call the centre on 0242 844 1000.

Two doctors work at the centre - Dr Cem Tolunay, (pictured below), and Dr Hülya Arat.  Dr Cem Tolunay speaks good English, but Dr Hülya Arat does not speak English.

Doctors in Kalkan
Over the summer months, there have been some changes to the way in which local medical services are delivered.

Dr Cem Tolunay and Dr Niaizi Öncüler used to be the only doctors in town.  They used to work in the government clinic on Kalamar Road, as well as running their respective private practices. 

The changes introduced by the Turkish government at the end of 2010 were quite radical and it has taken some time for the new scheme to settle down.

It transpires that one of the big changes is that doctors may not now operate in both the public and private sectors.  They must choose one way or the other.

Dr Cem Tolunay has chosen to work in the government run Family Health Centre, and therefore his private clinic above Teskom supermarket is currently closed.

We understand that currently, Dr Niaizi Öncüler is not working as a doctor in Kalkan.  A new doctor is now working at the Family Health Cente - Dr Hülya Arat.

Dr Cem Tolunay told KTLN that he is currently trying to find another doctor to provide a private medical service from his Tuana clinic, above Teskom supermarket, but this may take some time to arrange.  We will let you know when we hear more.

Out of hours service
One of the other consequences of the new government rules, is that doctors are now only contracted to work weekdays between 9am and 5pm.  Previously, Kalkan's two doctors had a rota to make sure one of them was on call, out of hours and at weekends.  This is no longer the case.

This means that if you run into medical problems out of hours, your options are limited.  In an emergency you can call 112 for an ambulance.  Your call goes through to Antalya and they will arrange for the closest ambulance to attend.

Dr Cem Tolunay has confirmed to KTLN that people may still call his mobile number in an out of hours emergency.  Details are in our Emergency Situations section.  If he is not in Kalkan at the time, (off duty), he will do his best to organise help. 

If you are in any doubt as to who you should call, our advice would be to call the emergency services on 112.

Emergency ambulance 112
As mentioned above, calls to 112 are routed to Antalya.  This is the number to call if you require an ambulance.

KTLN readers may remember that for some time Kalkan has been trying to get its own 112 ambulance, manned by trained paramedics.  The existing Belediye ambulance, (pictured right), is essentially a big taxi that is used to transport people, under the direction of a local doctor.  The driver is not medically trained.

Premises have now been allocated for a 112 ambulance station.  It will be located at the bus station in Kalkan.  The Belediye has been waiting for trained staff to become available, and the good news is that these individuals are currently undergoing training in Antalya. 

We are advised that a fully manned and equipped emergency ambulance should be permanently stationed in Kalkan by the end of October.  We will keep you posted.  Let's hope it happens.

We should also point out where the other nearest 112 ambulances are, as these will be called upon, if the Kalkan ambulance is already in use.  There are now 112 ambulances in Kaş, and on the way to Fethiye, in Kemer, Eşen and Kumluova.  The fact that we have these as back-up ambulances nearby is reassuring. 

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