A number of Syrians holding temporary protection cards (Kimlik) in Turkey are facing a serious health and humanitarian crisis after their health insurance was suddenly suspended, threatening to deprive them of treatment, particularly kidney failure patients who rely on regular dialysis sessions to survive.
According to testimonies obtained by Zaman al-Wasl, several people with chronic illnesses were surprised on July 15th to find their health coverage suspended. Hospitals and medical centers informed them that free treatment services would cease starting August 1st, requiring them to bear the full cost of treatment out of pocket.
The patients say they encountered an additional administrative obstacle when they went to the immigration offices. They were told that they could not submit requests for reassessment or appeals against the suspension of their insurance until 30 days after the suspension date. This puts many of them at risk of interrupting their treatment or incurring costs beyond their financial means.
The patients' families are appealing to the Turkish government, relevant health authorities, the UNHCR, and humanitarian organizations for urgent intervention to find a solution that ensures the continuation of treatment for critical cases. They warn that any delay could expose the patients to serious complications, potentially leading to death.
Zaman al-Wasl
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