CTMA National Report, October 2024

There are no new developments to add to the information presented in the previous report. As we previously mentioned, there are 8 medical schools and 8 dental schools in our country. Aside from a newly approved dental school, it has been stated in discussions with the Higher Education Council (YÖK) that new faculties will not be permitted to open. Additionally, we have received assurance that the central exam, which is legally required for university admissions according to higher education law, will be implemented next year. Furthermore, it has been agreed that the number of students will be determined based on the needs of the country.

As previously noted, the current population of our country is unknown; the last census was conducted in 2011, and since then, a significant number of foreigners have entered the country. The increasing population has placed a considerable burden on public health institutions, leading to disruptions in healthcare services due to insufficient hospital beds and staff shortages. The population growth has also resulted in a rapid increase in the number of vehicles in the country, causing traffic issues. The fact that foreigners come from countries where driving is on the right side, while in our country it is on the left, combined with inadequate road infrastructure, speeding, and drunk driving, has led to a significant increase in fatal traffic accidents.

The inadequacies in the number of hospitals continue. In some districts, hospitals whose construction has begun have yet to be completed, which is causing difficulties in accessing healthcare services.