Türkiye: Patient rights
Knowing your rights as a patient builds trust in treatment. This chapter explains patients’ rights in Türkiye and how to complain.
01Short answer
02Simple explanation
Information and consent are your rights.
Choosing a doctor and facility is possible.
Complaints: unit, board, ALO 184.
03Scientific explanation
Regulation: the Patient Rights Regulation governs care consistent with human dignity, protection from violations and the use of legal remedies.
European context: the WHO 1994 Declaration on the Promotion of Patients’ Rights in Europe reflects similar principles.
04What happens in the body?
Right to information
Ask about your diagnosis, treatment options, risks and alternatives in a language you understand. You can get copies of your medical records.
Consent and choice
Treatment is given with written consent; you also have the right to refuse. Where possible, you can choose your doctor and facility.
How to complain
1) The hospital’s Patient Rights Unit; 2) the provincial Patient Rights Board; 3) ALO 184 SABİM or CİMER; 4) the courts if needed.
A calm conversation
Most problems are solved by a calm talk with the doctor or the head nurse. Write your questions down beforehand.
05Using your rights in four steps
From information to complaint.
06Key points at a glance
| Topic | In brief |
|---|---|
 Right to information | Ask about your diagnosis, treatment options, risks and alternatives in a language you understand. You can get copies of your medical records. |
 Consent and choice | Treatment is given with written consent; you also have the right to refuse. Where possible, you can choose your doctor and facility. |
 How to complain | 1) The hospital’s Patient Rights Unit; 2) the provincial Patient Rights Board; 3) ALO 184 SABİM or CİMER; 4) the courts if needed. |
 A calm conversation | Most problems are solved by a calm talk with the doctor or the head nurse. Write your questions down beforehand. |
07Key terms
- Hasta Hakları Birimi
- Patient Rights Unit.
- Hasta Hakları Kurulu
- Provincial Patient Rights Board.
- SABİM
- Ministry of Health ALO 184 line.
- Aydınlatılmış onam
- Informed consent.
08Key points
- Regulation since 1998.
- Right to information and consent.
- A unit in every hospital.
- A board at provincial level.
- ALO 184 SABİM.
09Frequently asked questions
Does it apply to foreigners?
Yes; it applies to everyone receiving care.
Can I get my records?
Yes; ask for copies, and much is visible in e-Nabız.
How long does the board take?
Under the regulation, the board decides within 30 days of receiving the application.
10Questions for your doctor
Take these questions to your appointment. The ones you save are collected on the “My questions” page and stay on this device only.
Does it apply to foreigners?
Can I get my records?
How long does the board take?
12Sources
- Mevzuat Bilgi Sistemi (Türkiye). Hasta Hakları Yönetmeliği, Resmî Gazete 01.08.1998, No. 23420 (in Turkish)
- Ministry of Health of the Republic of Türkiye. Official website
- CİMER (Presidential Communication Centre, Türkiye). Official website (in Turkish)
- WHO Regional Office for Europe. A declaration on the promotion of patients’ rights in Europe (1994)
- Scientific Center of Pediatrics and Pediatric Surgery (Almaty). Bone marrow transplantation department (in Russian)
- Kazakhstanskaya Pravda. A chance to be saved: bone marrow transplantation in Kazakhstan, 2023 (in Russian)
- News.com.kg. The first bone marrow transplant in Kyrgyzstan was successfully completed, 2024 (in Russian)
- Tajik State Medical University. Autologous bone marrow transplantation for adult patients, 2026 (in Russian)
- Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan. Central medical institutions
- News Central Asia (nCa). Scientific and Clinical Center for Maternal and Child Health, Ashgabat, 2022