The number of examinations performed in Istanbul this year exceeded 80 million

Istanbul Provincial Health Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Abdullah Emre Güner stated that 2024 was a very busy year in terms of healthcare services, and that a similar intensity continued this year.

Güner stated that more than 40 percent of Türkiye's healthcare services are provided in Istanbul, and that their main goal is to ensure the right patient reaches the right doctor and receives healing.

Güner stated that healthcare services are provided in 216 hospitals in the city, in addition to 53 public hospitals, and that primary healthcare services are provided in 1,096 family health centers and 4,600 family medicine units.

Güner emphasized that they continue to provide high-level healthcare services in Istanbul, saying, "In 2025, more than 80.8 million examinations were performed in Istanbul. In addition, we provided 1.2 million surgeries and more than 20 million radiologic imaging and diagnostic and examination services."

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Güner stated that 16 million of these examinations were conducted in primary healthcare settings, saying, "We're actually facing a different picture than we expected. We expect primary healthcare visits to be high, while secondary and tertiary visits are lower. This is the most important message we want to convey to our citizens."

The first stop should be the family doctor

Güner stated that they provide services through 1,096 family health centers throughout Istanbul, and that not only examination services but also laboratory and, if necessary, imaging services can be provided in the primary care setting.

Güner emphasized that the first place citizens should consult with their family physicians regarding their health problems is their primary care physician, and that the need to consult a secondary or tertiary care physician should also be determined through consultation with a family physician.

Güner emphasized that family physicians are located an average of a seven-minute walk away, saying, "Patients should come here before applying to the hospital. Because the family physician is the person who can provide the most accurate guidance to our citizens. It's also possible to shorten the diagnosis and examination processes here."

Güner touched upon the Hospital Efficiency Project, launched in Istanbul upon the instructions of Health Minister Prof. Dr. Kemal Memişoğlu, stating that the efficiency of outpatient clinics, operating rooms, endoscopy, and colonoscopy units is being closely monitored.

"The average population of family physicians in Istanbul has fallen below 3,000"

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Güner stated that there will be an increase of over 5 percent in major (Group A) surgeries performed in public hospitals by 2025, while Group A surgeries will decrease in private hospitals.

Güner, stating that they are working intensively to reduce waiting times for citizens in public hospitals, said, "We have achieved a 10 percent increase in the appointment system in Istanbul. Furthermore, the number of waiting requests for appointments has decreased by more than 40 percent."

Güner stated that the branches experiencing the most problems are dermatology, cardiology, ear, nose and throat, and plastic surgery, and noted the following:

When making an appointment for plastic surgery, do citizens really need this specialty? The answer to this question is, once again, the family doctor. The average number of family physicians in Istanbul has fallen below 3,000. Accessing family physicians, whether by appointment or not, is quite easy. Family physicians are our citizens' health consultants, even health advocates. As the first point of contact, these centers are critical for accurate guidance and early diagnosis. We invite everyone to participate consciously in this process.