13.12.2025 14:45
The Istanbul Provincial Chairman of the BBP, Gökhan İlgar, who was a guest on Haberler.com, stated that despite the strong healthcare infrastructure in Turkey, there are serious problems with the appointment system. İlgar said, "God forbid, a cancer patient is given an MRI appointment for 120 days later. Patients reach out to us. We then arrange the MRI for that evening or the next day through the communication channels we have established. In fact, we are not doing it correctly."
In an interview with News Director Olgun Kızıltepe at the News.com studio, Gökhan İlgar, the Istanbul Provincial Chairman of the Great Unity Party (BBP), made striking statements regarding the health system within the framework of Istanbul's fundamental problems and proposed solutions. İlgar stated that investments in Turkey's health infrastructure are at a significant level, yet emphasized that there are serious issues in the appointment system.
"THE MAIN SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM IS THE INEFFECTIVENESS OF THE FAMILY MEDICINE MECHANISM"
Comparing health investments in Turkey with those in Europe, İlgar mentioned that there are a limited number of MRI machines in London, while some public hospitals in Istanbul have many more machines available. He expressed that one of the main reasons for the congestion in the appointment system is the insufficient effectiveness of the family medicine mechanism.
"50% OF PATIENTS ARE NOT ACTUALLY SICK"
Stating that he has visited the chief physicians of state hospitals, İlgar shared a striking example through Çam and Sakura City Hospital. Referring to his meeting with the hospital's chief physician, İlgar said, "The chief physician of Çam Sakura said, '50% of our patients are not actually sick.' My aunt from the Kulu district of Konya comes here to visit her niece. She says, 'Çam Sakura has just opened, let me get a check-up here.' But in fact, the aunt is not sick," he explained.
"WE ARE DOING THE MRI SCHEDULED FOR 120 DAYS LATER THAT EVENING"
Ilgar continued his remarks by saying, "Far from home. A cancer patient is given an MRI appointment for 120 days later."
"These patients reach out to us. What do we do? With the communication channels we have established, we are doing that MRI either that evening or the next day. Are we doing the right thing? It’s not right. I’m just trying to explain this: the citizen has a problem. We extend our hand to everyone who reaches out to us. In my opinion, it’s wrong, but the citizen has reached out to us now."