Controversial directive at Çapa! Allegations that a letter was sent requesting 'priority' for health tourism patients

A letter titled "Regarding appointment scheduling for health tourism patients" was sent to the hospital's clinics and units by the International Health Tourism Unit of the Istanbul University Istanbul Faculty of Medicine (Çapa) Hospital Chief Physician's Office.

The letter stated that it is of great importance to carry out health tourism activities in an effective, efficient, and sustainable manner, and expressed that the International Health Tourism Unit coordinates with clinics to plan the examination, testing, and treatment processes of patients applying within the scope of health tourism.

In the Chief Physician's letter, it was stated that recently, scheduling appointments for some health tourism patients for later dates has delayed treatment processes, negatively affected patient satisfaction, and led to disruptions in health tourism activities.

"PRIORITY EVALUATION" REQUESTED FOR APPOINTMENTS

In line with these justifications, the letter requested that clinics prioritize appointment requests forwarded by the International Health Tourism Unit.

Furthermore, it was requested that, unless there is a medical necessity, appointments for patients arriving under the scope of health tourism should not be scheduled for later dates and that the necessary coordination with the relevant units should be ensured.

The Chief Physician's Office requested that the necessary sensitivity be shown regarding the matter in order to maintain the hospital's service quality in the international arena, increase patient satisfaction, and effectively sustain health tourism activities.

PRIORITY PATIENT ORDER BECOMES A SUBJECT OF DEBATE

According to the report by Eylem Nazlıer from the Evrensel newspaper, it is assessed that if the aforementioned letter is implemented, patients applying under the scope of health tourism could move ahead of some individuals who are in the priority patient group in Turkey.

The report recalled that cancer patients, individuals with kidney failure, patients with disabilities due to limb loss, citizens aged 65 and over, widows and orphans of war and duty martyrs, and disabled veterans and their families are among the existing priority patient groups.

HOW DOES THE INTERNATIONAL HEALTH TOURISM PROCESS WORK?

Although there is an International Health Tourism Unit within Çapa Hospital, there is no dedicated outpatient clinic for this service.

Patients coming from abroad for treatment can apply through the HealthTürkiye system created by the Ministry of Health for international patients.

After the registration personnel working in the unit complete the procedures, they contact the relevant clinics according to the patients' conditions, create an appropriate appointment, and direct the patient directly to the relevant physician.

Patients who wish to receive services within the scope of health tourism can also carry out the process through health tourism agencies. In this method, agencies establish the initial contact with the patient, select the doctor and clinic, prepare the treatment plan, and complete the organization.

INFORMATION REGARDING EXAMINATION AND TREATMENT FEES

According to the information in the report, it was stated that access to the fee schedule section on the website of the General Directorate of Health Services, Department of Health Tourism, could not be provided.

However, it was stated that approximately 1,700 TL is charged only for the examination from patients who apply to the outpatient clinic within the scope of health tourism.

It was reported that if a faculty member examination is requested, the fees vary between 10 thousand and 15 thousand TL depending on the clinic.

Information was included that laboratory tests, imaging procedures, and surgical services are also at a level approximately three times the fees charged to citizens within the scope of health tourism.

ALLEGATION THAT "THE LETTER MAY CREATE PRESSURE ON FACULTY MEMBERS"

The report also conveyed assessments that the letter sent by the Chief Physician's Office could create pressure on faculty members and limit the initiative of doctors regarding patient priority.

REACTION TO THE PRACTICE FROM SES

Aydın Erol, a member of the Board of Directors of the Health and Social Service Workers Union (SES) Aksaray Branch, also made assessments regarding the practice.

Erol argued that the regulation in question is a new link in the market-oriented policies that have been pursued in the health sector for many years.

Stating that the Istanbul Faculty of Medicine has been providing public health services to citizens from all over Turkey for years, Erol said that prioritizing health tourism services offered for a fee in a public hospital cannot be evaluated merely as an administrative decision.

Erol stated, "Citizens coming to this hospital are not patients whose time should be wasted or whose treatments should be postponed. A public university hospital requesting priority for health tourism services offered for a fee also shows the mindset with which the public nature of health services is managed."

News Source: 12punto