Syrian Health Workers in Turkey

More than three million Syrian refugees are now living in Turkey. In 2016, the Turkish government enacted a law that allows Syrian health professionals to enter the workforce in the Turkish health system, with the aim of both integrating Syrian professionals into the health system and also ensuring that Syrian refugees can receive health care without encountering cultural barriers.  In order to implement the law, the Public Health Institution of Turkey and the World Health Organization, developed an adaptation training for Syrian health workers, WHO website reported.  The initiative is supported financially by the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Operations. The training provides and practical coursework, resulting in a certificate that authorizes Syrian healthcare workers to practice in refugee health centers established in Turkey. Since the trainings began in November 2016, over 380 doctors and 360 nurses and midwives have received vocational competence certificates.