Family doctor shock for foreign residents in Alanya

According to a new regulation issued by the Turkish Ministry of Health, foreign residents in Alanya are now required to seek medical care not from the family doctor closest to their registered address, but from the newly established Family Health Center located in the building of the former State Hospital in Alanya city center.

Fatma Özsüer, President of the Alanya Turkish-German Friendship Association (ATAD), made a statement regarding this new regulation in the family medicine system, which specifically affects foreign residents.

According to Özsüer, the ATAD board meeting held on May 15, 2025, focused primarily on the growing difficulties faced by members in accessing healthcare services.“The main agenda item was the recent change in the family doctor system. In response to numerous complaints received, we contacted the Ministry of Health via the 184 hotline and conveyed the challenges and resulting disadvantages caused by this policy. During the conversation, it was confirmed that the information came directly from foreign residents living in Alanya. On May 26, 2025, representatives from the Ministry of Health informed us that the implementation in question would be reviewed based on the feedback we provided.”

Last week, representatives of ATAD and Mr. Yasin Kınay, President of the “Yeni Alanyalılar” platform, held on-site meetings—first at the ALKÜ Alanya Training and Research Hospital, and later at the District Health Directorate. As a result of these discussions, it was confirmed that the new policy is already in effect, and that foreign nationals are now required to apply to the Family Health Center in the former State Hospital building, rather than to the nearest family doctor.

“THIS REGULATION MAKES DAILY LIFE MORE DIFFICULT”

A large portion of the approximately 45,000 foreign residents living in Alanya are elderly, disabled, or have limited mobility. However, the building referenced in the new regulation presents serious structural shortcomings.

Some specific examples include:

– Elevators are not functioning,– There is a shortage of medical staff,– The building is located on a steep hill,– There is no access to public transportation.

For these reasons, many foreign residents view this new regulation as an obstacle that complicates their daily lives. They wish to raise their voices to make these difficulties heard. As ATAD, we believe that this policy should be reconsidered so that foreign residents in Alanya can have fair and accessible access to basic healthcare services.

We will continue to follow the process constructively and work toward a more inclusive solution, engaging in dialogue with the relevant authorities to eliminate existing inequalities.

Fatma ÖZSÜER ATAD Association President

Source: Alanya’da yaşayan yerleşik yabancılara ‘aile hekimi’ şoku - Gündem