Amid delays in surgical operations caused by shortages of equipment and medtech companies demanding payment of outstanding hospital debts, a strong devaluation of the Turkish lira has put the local health care system on a crisis footing.

Late payment of hospital debts continues to haunt the Turkish medtech industry, which recently led a public demonstration in Ankara to focus the government’s attention on the issue. Medtech multinationals fear that the ongoing problems will mean Turkey losing the positive momentum it achieved during the pandemic.

Alignment with the MDR gave Turkish medtech access to the EU market, but in domestic pricing, costs, reimbursement and payment of hospital debts, industry might feel it is barely at the starting line.

The pandemic has exacerbated the problems of the Turkish medical device industry, which was already struggling for survival and growth in a hostile policy environment. Local blood bag manufacturer Kansuk Laboratory talked to Medtech Insight about the difficulties it faces.

A plan to set up a Directorate of Health Industries within the Office of the Presidency has been welcomed by Turkish medtechs, who see it as opportunity to highlight to President Erdoğan ongoing industry problems such as late payments.

Unpaid hospital debts have been hitting the Turkish medical sector for some time, but a government plan to repay less than the full amount owed has angered industry.