Healthcare Service Access and Utilization among Syrian Refugees in Turkey.

Selim Suner,Mücahit Günaydin,Ismail Tayfur

doi:10.5334/aogh.2353

Selim Suner, Mücahit Günaydin + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.5334/aogh.2353

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Abstract

Background Aim:Many Syrian civil war refugees are housed in carefully designed camps, however 60% of all refugees in host countries reside outside of specifically designated camps. Turkey hosts the largest number of refugees displaced in the civil war of Syria. In the present study, we aimed to illustrate healthcare services provided to Syrian refugees in Turkey.Method:Data presented in this retrospective observational registry study was obtained from multiple sources including official websites and written communications contributed by Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Agency(AFAD), Turkish Ministry of Health and Turkish Red Crescent as well as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees(UNHCR). The number of refugee camps, total number of refugees housed in these camps, the demographic characteristics of the refugees and a breakdown of social and healthcare services provided in the camps including the number of healthcare professionals serving in the refugee camps were analyzed.Results:According to data from UNHCR as of January 12, 2017, there are 4,904,021 registered refugees from Syria of which 2,854,968 (58.2%) are residing in Turkey. Organized health care services specifically for Syrian refugees in Turkey was first established in April 29, 2011 in Hatay. Preventative health services are also provided for Syrian refugees. Among refugees living in the camps 25% and 33% were not vaccinated for polio and measles respectively. The percentage of unvaccinated refugees living outside the camps were even higher for these viruses (45% for polio and 41% for measles). This poses a public health threat for the population where these refugees reside.Conclusion:One of the major concerns for countries hosting refugees from Syria is the introduction of infectious diseases. Of the major deficiencies in refugee health care has been preventative services. Within refugee camps, preventative services for pregnant woman, newborns and young children as well as family planning services are not at optimal levels. These services are even more restricted for refugees living outside of established camps. There have also been shortcomings in the care of the elderly and those with chronic health problems.

Highlights

The Arab Spring, an uprising of the populous in multiple Middle Eastern countries, started with the self-immolation of a young street merchant on December 17, 2010 in Tunisia
In this study we aim to illustrate the healthcare services provided to Syrian refugees in Turkey, which is the country hosting the largest number of people displaced in the wake of the civil war in Syria
Tayfur et al: Healthcare Service Access and Utilization among Syrian Refugees in Turkey the number of refugee camps, total number of refugees housed in these camps, the demographics of the refugees and a breakdown of social and healthcare services provided in the camps including the number of healthcare professionals serving in the refugee camps, commonly encountered medical conditions, number of cases in emergency clinics, their provisional diagnoses and the number of patients transferred to tertiary care hospitals

Summary

Introduction

The Arab Spring, an uprising of the populous in multiple Middle Eastern countries, started with the self-immolation of a young street merchant on December 17, 2010 in Tunisia. Aim: Many Syrian civil war refugees are housed in carefully designed camps, 60% of all refugees in host countries reside outside of designated camps. Organized health care services for Syrian refugees in Turkey was first established in April 29, 2011 in Hatay. The percentage of unvaccinated refugees living outside the camps were even higher for these viruses (45% for polio and 41% for measles). This poses a public health threat for the population where these refugees reside. Preventative services for pregnant woman, newborns and young children as well as family planning services are not at optimal levels These services are even more restricted for refugees living outside of established camps. There have been shortcomings in the care of the elderly and those with chronic health problems

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