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One of the biggest occupational health problem in Turkey is low coverage of occupational health services (OHS), as in many other countries. “Bbasic occupational health services” (BOHS) concept has been in the agenda of all related parties for almost 5 years and some progress has been achieved. Experiences might be beneficial for countries exercising similar problems.
Methods
Scientific meetings, regulations, international agreements and conventions were examined over a time frame of 10 years; success and failures of the attempts to enhance coverage of OHS are discussed.
Results
Evolution of OHS in Turkey can be examined into 3 phases: early period, between 1988 and 2000, from starting of European Union (EU) accession process in early 2000s to present day. Important progress has been made within second and third. During the second phase, Turkish Medical Association implemented “occupational physicians’ certification program” and this put in a lot in terms of capacity building and standards. After EU accession process a novel Labour Law was introduced and in 2004 ILO Conventions 155 and 161 was ratified. Immediately after “1st Global Expert Meeting on Basic Occupational Health Services” was held in Izmir in 2007. MoL was intensely involved promoting BOHS concept right after assignment of “Biannual Collateral Agreement” with WHO, MoH took a vital step and declare its intention to provide BOHS for the workers in small scale enterprises via community health centers.
Discussion
In spite of 2 Ministries intentions and ratification of ILO C155-161, Turkey still do not have a single separate occupational safety and health act, OHS were provided only 15% of the workers who were under Social Security umbrella. Thus there is a strong need for political, strategic, managerial and operational decisions which would aim to overcome the barriers and to fulfill the needs of workforce in the small-scale enterprises, agriculture and even informal sector.