Turkish Medical Association: Hospitals Shouldn't Charge Fees for Covid-19 Treatment

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Despite a circular by the Ministry of Health, there have been increasing complaints that private hospitals charge fees for Covid-19 tests and treatment, the Turkish Medical Association (TTB) has stated.

In a letter to the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Services and the Social Security Institution (SGK), the TTB Central Committee said that everyone living in Turkey should be considered within the General Health Insurance without distinction and should benefit from all healthcare services.

The ministry on March 20 declared some private hospitals "pandemic hospitals" and stated that testing and treatment of Covid-19 would be free of charge for all citizens.

However, private hospitals reportedly charge fees from Covid-19 patients despite the circular. İzmir Medical Chamber Chair Prof. Funda Barlık Obuz told daily Sözcü on March 30 that private hospitals demanded high fees from patients. Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) MP Garo Paylan on the same day submitted a parliamentary question to the Minister of Health Fahrettin Koca, asking why private hospitals were allowed to charge "exorbitant fees" for testing and treatment of Covid-19. (AS/VK)