İSTAHED Calls on the Ministry of Health Regarding SMS Application

Drawing attention to the problems caused in the field by the SMS application initiated by the Ministry of Health for chronic disease monitoring and screening invitations, the Istanbul Association of Family Medicine (İSTAHED) requested that the process be replanned together with healthcare professionals.

Preventive Health Services and Application Problems

In a written statement issued by the Istanbul Association of Family Medicine, it was stated that invitations for chronic disease monitoring and screening aiming to strengthen preventive health services have a correct purpose, but lead to new problems in the field due to an incorrect application method.

Unnecessary Density and Lack of Information

The fact that the sent messages were not explanatory enough and that the same messages were sent to individuals who had already completed their monitoring and screenings caused an unnecessary surge of applications at Family Health Centers. It was emphasized that the Ministry's lack of information cannot be left on the shoulders of family physicians.

The Association's Expectations from the Ministry of Health

İSTAHED applied to the Ministry of Health, requesting that the SMS contents be arranged in a clearer, more understandable, and guiding manner, and that systemic improvements be made to prevent sending unnecessary messages to individuals whose screenings have been completed.

Joint Planning and Appointment System Proposal

While stating that applications must be planned by taking the workload reflected in the field into consideration, it was requested that patients be ensured to apply primarily by making an appointment and that the process be shaped in line with the opinions of family physicians and family health workers.