Kemal Memişoğlu: 'As a health system, we are ready for any kind of disaster'

Health system is ready for disasters
 
 
Minister of Health Prof. Dr. Kemal Memişoğlu answered questions on Mücahid Eker's live broadcast program on TRT News on Thursday, June 12, 2025. Emphasizing that Türkiye's health infrastructure passed the test successfully after the February 6 earthquake, Memişoğlu said, "We are ready for any disaster as a health system." Stating that 12 city hospitals in Istanbul were reinforced with isolator structures, Memişoğlu stated that the reflexes of health workers in times of disaster were planned in advance and supported with training.
 
Interest in Healthy Life Centers should increase
 
Drawing attention to the importance of preventive health services, Memişoğlu said, “Our 288 Healthy Life Centers are active in combating risks such as weight, smoking, addiction, and inactivity. Experts such as dietitians, psychologists, and physiotherapists provide free services in these centers. We plan to open 100 new centers this year.” Stating that 8.5 million people have benefited from the centers in five months, Memişoğlu emphasized that this number should increase.
 
A 3 percent decrease in cesarean rates was achieved
 
Drawing attention to the high rate of cesarean births in Türkiye, Memişoğlu stated that various steps were being taken to approach World Health Organization standards. “Normal birth is a physiological process. Thanks to campaigns, pregnancy schools and midwives responsible for birth, we have achieved a 3 percent decrease in cesarean rates,” he said. He also stated that expectant mothers are supported throughout the process with the mobile application called “Motherhood Journey.”
 
Call ALO 171 to quit smoking
 
Stating that they focus on awareness-raising activities in addition to penal sanctions on smoking, Memişoğlu said, “We support our citizens with the ALO 171 Quit Smoking Line, smoking cessation clinics, family physicians and Healthy Life Centers.” He also noted that families should be provided with counseling against internet and gaming addiction.
 
Domestic health production is strengthened with TÜSEB
 
Stating that they support domestic production with the Presidency of Health Institutes of Turkey (TÜSEB), Memişoğlu said, “We have established the ecosystem that will turn the ideas of scientists into products. We are starting to produce advanced treatment technologies such as the lung heart pump, glucose sensor, CAR-T Cell. Domestic cancer drugs will also be produced in 2026.”
 
Rabies vaccine to be produced in 2026
 
Regarding Türkiye’s vaccine production targets, Memişoğlu said, “As of 2026, we will start producing the rabies vaccine with its antigen. We will also offer the HPV vaccine to children aged 13 and older free of charge by the end of 2025.” He noted that production plans are ongoing for many vaccines such as pneumococcal, meningococcal and hepatitis.
 
New job posting for 18,000 healthcare personnel
 
Minister Memişoğlu announced that 18 thousand more health personnel will be employed in the public sector in the second half of the year. Memişoğlu announced that new legislation has been developed for health graduates who cannot find a job in the public sector, and that they have paved the way for independent health units to be opened in the private sector.
 
A healthcare payment model specific to Türkiye is being developed
 
Stating that work is being carried out on revising the Health Implementation Circular (SUT) prices, Memişoğlu said, “We made a scientific call for a result-based, value-based payment model specific to Türkiye. Our goal is to develop models that can be an example to the world not only in health services but also in payment systems.” He also warned against unnecessary drug use and emphasized the importance of rational drug use.
 
Source: CUMHA - CUMHURS NEWS AGENCY