The Turkish Minister of Health Mehmet Müezzinoğlu has invited Greek doctors to consider emigrating to Turkey for employment, as the country requires about 10,000 general practice and 20,000 specialist doctors.

Mr. Müezzinoğlu extended the call during a visit at a hospital in Istanbul and argued that the Turkish healthcare system is in need of medical staff. The Minister explained that in Greece there are 61 doctors per 100,000 people (compared to Turkey’s 17 per 100,000) and that about 15,000 doctors are planning to work in Germany.

At present, the Turkish legal system does not allow foreign citizens to work, however this will likely change. Foreign doctors seeking employment in Turkey must past a Turkish language test.