Minister Memişoğlu announces: A new era begins in family medicine!

Minister of Health Kemal Memişoğlu released a video statement addressing physicians and the public regarding the practices introduced by the new Family Medicine Contract and Payment Regulation, which was published in the Official Gazette and entered into force on October 30.

In his statement, which was also shared on the Ministry of Health's social media accounts, Memişoğlu pointed out that healthcare is one of the most important service sectors in the world. He stated that as a Ministry, they have been working for some time to make family medicine effective and efficient with the goal of a continuously developing health system and the provision of high-quality services.

Stating that the regulation was prepared by a team experienced in their fields and familiar with the sector, after consulting with numerous physicians and stakeholders, and that it was shared with the public and healthcare workers, Memişoğlu noted the following:

"Undoubtedly, family medicine holds a very important place in primary care regarding basic health services. The integration of family medicine with secondary and tertiary care is of critical importance in the provision of health services. As the Ministry of Health, we want the 'family physician' to be the first point of contact for our citizens for health services. Our priority is to protect the health of our citizens before they get sick."

"OUR FAMILY PHYSICIANS SHOULD REST ASSURED"

Stating that the number of patients per physician has been reduced from 4,000 to 3,500, Memişoğlu said, "Our family physicians should rest assured. By reducing the number of patients, we are increasing the time allocated to our citizens by family medicine centers, and we are encouraging the effective implementation of screenings and monitoring for chronic diseases and cancers."

"OUR CITIZENS SHOULD TRUST OUR FAMILY PHYSICIANS"

Stating that with the regulation change in question, they are planning services according to the disease burden of the society, and that they aim to reduce disease through the effective monitoring of chronic patients and individuals aged 65 and over, as well as encouraging the rational use of medication, Memişoğlu made the following assessment: "I have only one request from our citizens; when they have any concerns regarding their health, the first thing that should come to their minds is our family physicians, and they should trust our family physicians."

News Source: 12punto