The transformation of the primary health care system for Syrian refugees in Turkey

Abstract

This article analyzes Turkey's policy response to the health needs of Syrian refugees since 2011. The innovations in immigration health policy cannot be explained solely on the basis of factors exogenous to the health sector, such as the massive arrival of Syrian refugees, the gradual Europeanization of Turkish immigration policy or new funding from the European Union. They also display several stages of endogenous learning driven by a reassessment of problems and reevaluation of preferences by Turkish authorities. The paper aims to explain three successive stages of Turkey's organization of migrant health care services: a pre-institutionalization stage in which existing facilities were repurposed, the establishment of the first dedicated migrant health centers and promotion of partnerships with non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and finally the employment of Syrian medical professionals and the decreasing role of NGOs in migrant health centers following the impact of the 2016 European Facility for Refugees in Turkey.

Evaluating the Provision of Health Services and Barriers to Treatment for Chronic Diseases among Syrian Refugees in Turkey: A Review of Literature and Stakeholder Interviews

“…The provision of chronic health services for Syrian refugees is the responsibility of AFAD. With the establishment of the Family Medicine model under the HTP came the development of family health centers that served as the main provider of primary health services for Syrian refugees [31]. In 2015, additional health facilities called Migrant Health Centers were established to provide further support for the Syrian refugee population, particularly in areas densely populated with Syrian refugees.…”

From humanitarian crisis to employment crisis: The lives and livelihoods of South Sudanese refugee health workers in Uganda

“…17 Refugee health professionals can serve on steering groups to contribute cross-cultural knowledge to mentorship and placement programmes. 45 Work on regional accreditation by the East African Community could increase circular mobility of both South Sudanese and Ugandan migrants and refugees. 25 Advocacy action is needed to draw attention to the exclusion from and underutilisation of refugees in the health system.…”

Quality of Life and Psychometric Characteristics of Syrian Refugee Physicians Who Migrated to Turkey: A Cross-sectional Study

“…Considering the parameters related to the quality of life, we found that having primary care experience, having knowledge about the Turkish health system, believing that they can adapt to work in refugee health centers and not having a plan to return to their country were found to be associated with a higher score in at least one of the WHOQoL-BREF sub-domains. The fact that the health system in Turkey has been transformed in line with the needs of Syrian immigrants is likely to be one of the reasons for these results [21]. In this context, primary health care services, which are among the priority health needs of immigrants, were given priority, and Syrian refugee physicians were allowed to work primarily in refugee health centers [21,22].…”

“…The fact that the health system in Turkey has been transformed in line with the needs of Syrian immigrants is likely to be one of the reasons for these results [21]. In this context, primary health care services, which are among the priority health needs of immigrants, were given priority, and Syrian refugee physicians were allowed to work primarily in refugee health centers [21,22]. In a recent study on refugee physicians in Turkey, it was reported that refugee physicians, de ned as skilled refugees, have challenges in getting medical license equivalency, and the employment of specialists from various branches as GPs can lead to deskilling or overquali ed employment [3].…”