The Role of the Turkish Medical Association in Health Policies and Debates
The legal status of the Turkish Medical Association, its impacts on health policies, its relations with the Ministry of Health, and recent developments are discussed.
The Turkish Medical Association operates as an important professional organization in Turkey in terms of the organization of the medical profession, the protection of ethical standards, and the formulation of views on public health policies.
Legal Status and Structure
The Turkish Medical Association is a professional organization with the status of a public institution, established in 1953 by Law No. 6023. Its organizational structure consists of medical chambers, the Central Council, the High Honor Board, and the Grand Congress.
New Period Administration
Following the 78th Grand Congress held in June 2026, the Central Council elected for the 2026-2028 term distributed its duties in July 2026 and appointed Dr. Pınar Mualla Saip as the chairperson of the Central Council.
Transformation in Health and Criticisms
While the Health Transformation Program, initiated in 2003, aimed to increase the provision of and access to health services, the TMA has taken a critical approach to certain elements of this program and tendencies toward commercialization.
Family Medicine Regulation
With the amendment to the Family Medicine Contract and Payment Regulation published on October 30, 2024, new criteria were put into effect, and the TMA Family Medicine Branch argued that these regulations could worsen working conditions.
Violence in Healthcare and Studies
Keeping the issue of violence against healthcare workers on the agenda, the TMA organized a Workshop on Violence in Healthcare in 2023 and published its report in 2024, while the Ministry uses the White Code system.
COVID-19 Pandemic Process
The Turkish Medical Association published regular evaluation reports throughout the pandemic with the COVID-19 Monitoring Board it established in February 2020 and advocated for the transparent sharing of data.
Legal Proceedings and Dismissal
As a result of the lawsuit filed by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, the Ankara 31st Civil Court of First Instance decided on November 30, 2023, to terminate the duties of the Central Council of that period.