Maternal and Child Health in Turkey Through the Health Transformation Program (2003-2008)

Development Analytics Research Paper Series No. 1501

23 Pages Posted: 12 Dec 2015

See all articles by Meltem A. Aran

Meltem A. Aran

Development Analytics

Nazli Aktakke

Development Analytics

Ipek Gurol-Urganci

London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine - Department of Public Health and Policy

Rifat A. Atun

Imperial College London

Date Written: July 15, 2015

Abstract

Improving maternal and child health outcomes is a major development objective. Targets related to these outcomes were included in the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals and they continue to galvanize global support through the Sustainable Development Goals (under Goal 3 health targets). Turkey is among the few successful middle-income countries that have significantly reduced the under-5 mortality rate below the MDG 2015 target levels. This study analyses improved demand-side (health insurance, conditional cash transfers) and supply-side inputs (expanded health services) in Turkey’s health system as part of the Health Transition Program (HTP), as well as contextual improvements (such as improved economic well-being and increased maternal educational attainment), to identify how these input factors have advanced health outcomes. The results show that while demand-side measures, such as universal health coverage through extension of health insurance to low-income families (Green Card program), improved health utilisation variables, the main impact of on maternal and child health was through supply side improvements which expanded for all women access to free antenatal and midwifery care, regardless of health insurance status.

Keywords: Health Insurance, Maternal and Child Health Outcomes, Health Utilization, Social Protection, Green Card, Turkey

JEL Classification: J13, I13, I14, I15, I38

Suggested Citation

Aran, Meltem A. and Aktakke, Nazli and Gurol-Urganci, Ipek and Atun, Rifat A., Maternal and Child Health in Turkey Through the Health Transformation Program (2003-2008) (July 15, 2015). Development Analytics Research Paper Series No. 1501, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2701839 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2701839

Meltem A. Aran (Contact Author)

Development Analytics ( email )

9 Marlborough Court
Oxford, Oxford OX2 0QT
United Kingdom

HOME PAGE: http://www.developmentanalytics.org

Nazli Aktakke

Development Analytics ( email )

31 Mektep Sokak
Emirgan Sariyer
Istanbul, Istanbul 34467
Turkey

Ipek Gurol-Urganci

London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine - Department of Public Health and Policy ( email )

Keppel Street
London
United Kingdom

Rifat A. Atun

Imperial College London ( email )

South Kensington Campus
London, DC SW7 2AZ
United Kingdom

HOME PAGE: http://www.imperial.ac.uk/people/r.atun

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