Healthcare Scenario in Adana-Turkey

ADANA

Adana, Turkey’s fifth-largest city, boasts a population of approximately 1.8 million residents. Situated along the Seyhan River, about 35 kilometers from the Mediterranean Sea, Adana serves as a pivotal hub in the Mediterranean region. The city’s healthcare landscape is anchored by the Adana City Hospital, a state-of-the-art facility recognized as the world’s largest seismically isolated hospital, equipped with 1,512 seismic isolators to ensure uninterrupted operations during seismic events. This modern infrastructure underscores Adana’s commitment to providing top-tier medical services to its residents and the surrounding communities.

HEALTHCARE SCENARIO

Healthcare Structure

Adana’s healthcare system is integrated into Turkey’s national framework, which underwent significant reforms under the Health Transformation Programme (HTP) from 2003 to 2013. These reforms centralized healthcare delivery and financing, establishing the General Health Insurance Scheme (GHIS) to provide universal coverage.

Source: Iris

The city is home to several key medical facilities, including:

• Adana City Hospital: A state-of-the-art facility recognized as the world’s largest seismically isolated hospital, equipped with 1,512 seismic isolators to ensure uninterrupted operations during seismic events.
• Çukurova University Faculty of Medicine Balcalı Hospital: A major teaching hospital offering a wide range of specialized services and serving as a hub for medical research and education.

Healthcare Workforce

Turkey has faced challenges related to the distribution and retention of healthcare professionals. Recent studies indicate a trend of physician migration, which poses risks to healthcare accessibility and the sustainability of service delivery.

Source: ScienceDirect

Adana, like other regions, is working to address these challenges by implementing policies aimed at improving working conditions and incentivizing healthcare professionals to remain in the public sector.

Disease Burden

• Turkey’s disease burden has been shifting towards non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer, largely due to lifestyle factors.
• Adana mirrors this national trend, with healthcare facilities focusing on prevention, early detection, and management of NCDs.
• Public health initiatives aim to promote healthier lifestyles to mitigate these risks.

Recent Public Policies

The Turkish government has implemented policies to enhance healthcare delivery, including:

• Centralization of Health Functions: Post-2019, health system governance became more centralized, with the Ministry of Health overseeing workforce planning, regulation, and health research.

Source: Iris

• Performance-Based Supplementary Payment System (PBSPS): Introduced to improve service quality and efficiency, this system links healthcare professionals’ compensation to performance metrics.

Source: CSEP

• Health Promotion Initiatives: Policies targeting lifestyle-related risk factors, such as anti-smoking campaigns and programs to encourage physical activity, aim to reduce the prevalence of NCDs.

Recent Health Insights

• Environmental Health Concerns: Despite Turkey’s 2017 “Zero Waste” initiative, the country has become a significant recipient of European plastic waste. This has led to environmental and health issues, particularly in regions like Adana, where improper disposal and burning of foreign waste have caused air and soil pollution, affecting local communities.
• Healthcare Infrastructure Enhancements: The Adana Integrated Health Campus has prioritized patient safety by implementing a fully integrated security system.
• Public Health and Safety Incidents: In February 2025, a tragic shooting occurred at a medical supply store in Adana, resulting in three fatalities. This incident has raised concerns about public safety and the need for enhanced security measures in medical facilities.

LIST OF MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS

LIST OF HOSPITALS

DIAGNOSTIC CENTRES

1. Thalassemia Center (Adana Hereditary Blood Diseases (Hemoglobinopathy) Diagnosis Center).
2. Acıbadem Adana Hospital
3. Medline Adana Hospital
4. Medical Park Adana Hospital
5. Private Algomed Hospital
6. Medikaltur

CONCLUSION

Adana’s healthcare landscape is a testament to the city’s commitment to medical excellence and innovation. With world-class facilities like Adana City Hospital, a growing network of specialized medical centers, and a focus on resilience against natural disasters, the city is setting benchmarks in patient care. As Adana continues to evolve as a healthcare hub, its blend of advanced medical infrastructure and dedicated healthcare professionals ensures that residents and visitors alike receive top-quality medical services. This dynamic growth not only enhances local healthcare accessibility but also positions Adana as a key player in Turkey’s expanding medical sector.