Coronavirus treatment in Turkey will be provided free of charge. This breaking news announcement states that citizens diagnosed with COVID-19 and who receive treatment will not be charged for their care. The decision has been published in the Official Gazette and is now in force. The decree, signed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, states the following.
“All of our citizens who contract the coronavirus will receive treatment free of charge, regardless of whether they have social security.” Due to the global spread of the coronavirus pandemic, the decision signed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan mandates free treatment across Turkey. The measure applies to every citizen of the Republic of Turkey, with no distinction based on health insurance coverage. After this announcement, many people are asking: will coronavirus treatment also be free at private hospitals?
Is Coronavirus Treatment Free at Private Hospitals?
Is coronavirus treatment free at private hospitals? As the coronavirus continues to affect countries worldwide and the World Health Organization has declared a pandemic, Turkey has taken steps to ensure patients receive care without direct cost. The decision published in the Official Gazette, bearing President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s signature, makes clear that treatment for anyone diagnosed with COVID-19 will be provided free of charge, regardless of whether the patient has health insurance.
In addition to clinical care, the ruling covers personal protective equipment recommended for infection prevention and items used in diagnosis, such as test kits. These materials and devices will be supplied free of charge as part of the response. Medications centrally procured for a patient’s treatment are also included and will be provided without charge irrespective of the patient’s insurance status. To resolve any questions about implementation, the Ministry of Health is authorized to determine further procedures and principles. The decision took effect on March 1, 2020.