Turkish Health Union Slams Ministry's Forced Family Medicine System Rollout

Turkey's General Health-Union (Genel Sağlık-İş) has strongly criticized the Ministry of Health's directive to implement the Family Medicine Information System (SB-AHBS), labeling the move a "forced imposition" that endangers the quality of healthcare services.

The union highlighted that the ministry's August 25, 2026, notice reiterates the push for SB-AHBS, despite previous delays and ongoing legal challenges. The ministry has set new deadlines for provinces to transition to the system, warning that data from other systems will not be included in performance calculations after these dates. Genel Sağlık-İş condemned this approach as another instance of the ministry's "oppressive" tactics against family medicine practitioners.

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The forced implementation of SB-AHBS jeopardizes the quality of healthcare services.

"Why is there such an insistence on imposing a Family Medicine Information System on the field, which has not yet resolved all its problems, and which is worse than the currently used programs, for the sake of healthcare continuity and patient safety?" the union asked. They further questioned the ministry's urgency, especially since a lawsuit seeking to halt the implementation of the regulations is still pending before the Council of State.

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Why is there such an insistence on imposing a Family Medicine Information System on the field, which has not yet resolved all its problems, and which is worse than the currently used programs, for the sake of healthcare continuity and patient safety?

The union emphasized that the issues extend beyond a mere software change. Problems with data transfer, system usability, inadequate technical support, and increased workload are directly impacting service delivery in family health centers. The potential for incomplete or insecure transfer of health records accumulated over years poses a significant risk to patient care, not just a technical glitch.

Genel Sağlık-İş concluded by stating that leaving healthcare workers to deal with technical issues, increased workloads, and the responsibility for potential data loss is unacceptable. They also raised concerns about the financial and legal implications, questioning the fate of existing contracts with current software providers and the reimbursement of advance payments made by family physicians.

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Leaving healthcare workers to deal with technical issues, increased workloads, and the responsibility for potential data loss is unacceptable.