Turkey

In Turkey, about 80% of the population is covered by the national social security. People living with diabetes (PwD) are either fully exempt from or partially required to cover the cost of their diabetes care, depending on the medications, supplies and technologies they require for their treatment.

All PwD are treated in secondary and tertiary care settings, where diabetes education is also provided. However, there is a need for better diabetes care at primary care level, with a shortage of nurses and diabetes dieticians.

One unique feature in the Turkish diabetes landscape is the Diabetes Parliament. This initiative, initially driven by the Turkish Diabetes Foundation, gathers all diabetes stakeholders and decision-makers. Conventions, led by civil society, are held twice a year, and diabetes is considered a “political” priority.