Turkey releases refugee healthcare data

By Yesim Sert Karaaslan

ANKARA (AA) – Newly released data on Tuesday revealed how millions of Syrian refugees received medical treatment in Turkey.

Turkey's Health Ministry said over 20.2 million ambulance journeys were taken by Syrian nationals inside and outside refugee camps since 2011.

According to ministry figures, between 29 Apr. 2011 and 30 Sep. this year, over 967,000 Syrian people received in-patient treatment. Around 800,000 Syrian nationals have been operated on in Turkish hospitals.

Syrian refugees also had over 177,000 babies in the Turkish healthcare system. Children between 0-5 years old received vaccinations, the ministry added.

The authorities said refugees also underwent screening for illnesses including malaria and tuberculosis. Medicines were supplied free of charge.

Turkey hosts the largest number of Syrian refugees in the world, and so far has spent more than more than $20-$25 billion on their care, according to Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim.

Syria has remained locked in a vicious civil war since early 2011, when the Bashar al-Assad regime cracked down on pro-democracy protests with unexpected ferocity.

Since then, more than 250,000 people have been killed and more than 10 million displaced, according to UN figures.