TY  - JOUR
T1  - The Right of International Students to Access Healthcare in Practice and Turkish Legal Legislation
AU  - Beşe, Gurur Gülce
AU  - Avşar, Fırat Semih
PY  - 2025
DA  - August
Y2  - 2025
DO  - 10.52675/jhesp.1723717
JF  - Journal of  Health Systems and Policies
JO  - JHESP
PB  - Istanbul Medipol University
WT  - DergiPark
SN  - 2667-4920
SP  - 19
EP  - 40
VL  - 7
IS  - 1
LA  - en
AB  - The subject of this study is the right of international students studying in Turkey to access healthcare services. The study examines the healthcare access processes of international students in Turkey within the framework of both normative (legal) regulations and practical challenges. The main focus of the research is how international students benefit from healthcare services during their educational journey, the legal foundations of this process, and the structural barriers encountered in practice. The aim of this study is to present the legal regulations regarding the right to health for international students in Turkey and to analyze how these regulations are implemented in practice, thereby identifying existing structural problem areas. Particular emphasis is placed on how elements such as bureaucratic complexity in health insurance procedures, language barriers, and lack of information restrict students’ access to this right. The significance of this study stems from the fact that the effectiveness of services provided to international students within the framework of Turkey’s higher education internationalization policies is directly related to their access to healthcare services. When equal and effective access to the right to health cannot be ensured, not only do individual grievances arise, but Turkey’s inclusive vision in international education is also weakened. Therefore, this issue is not merely a matter of healthcare provision but also has strategic importance in terms of educational policies and foreign policy. In this study, a qualitative research methodology has been adopted, and legal documents, official reports, and policy papers have been examined thematically. Through this method, the discrepancies between legal regulations and actual practice have been systematically revealed.
KW  - Healthcare Access
KW  - Higher Education Policies
KW  - International Students
KW  - Right to Healt
KW  - Turkey
CR  - Akıllı, E. (2023). Türkiye’de ve dünyada yükseköğrenimde uluslararasılaşma. Kriter Dergi, 8(82).
CR  - Akinola, B. A. (2014). Health problems of international students in universities/colleges: An India perspective. World Journal of Public Health Sciences, 2(1), 6–12.
CR  - Andrade, M. S. (2009). The effects of English language proficiency on adjustment to university life. International Multilingual Research Journal, 3(1), 16–34. https://doi.org/10.1080/19313150802668249
CR  - Augoustinos, M., Beasley, C., & Hanson-Easey, S. (2011). Overseas students health lens project: Improving the health and wellbeing of overseas students undertaking post-secondary study in SA in the VET Sector. Report for SA Health.
CR  - Baker, D. W. (2006). The meaning and the measure of health literacy. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 21, 878–883. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1525-1497.2006.00540.x
CR  - Baş, H., & Eti, S. (2020). Türkiye’de uluslararası öğrencilerin istihdamı: Hukuki boyut ve koşullara dair bir araştırma. Sosyal Politika Çalışmaları Dergisi, 20(46), 105–132. https://doi.org/10.21560/spcd.v20i54504.538022
CR  - Bazı Alacakların Yeniden Yapılandırılması ile Sosyal Sigortalar ve Genel Sağlık Sigortası Kanunu ve Diğer Bazı Kanun ve Kanun Hükmünde Kararnamelerde Değişiklik Yapılması Hakkında Kanun. (2011, February 25). https://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2011/02/20110225M1-1.htm
CR  - Berkman, N. D., Sheridan, S. L., Donahue, K. E., Halpern, D. J., & Crotty, K. (2011). Low health literacy and health outcomes: An updated systematic review. Annals of Internal Medicine, 155(2), 97–107. https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-155-2-201107190-00005
CR  - Burt, B. A., Knight, A., & Roberson, J. (2017). Racializing experiences of foreign-born and ethnically diverse Black male engineering graduate students: Implications for student affairs practice, policy, and research. Journal of International Students, 7(4), 925–943. https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v7i4.182
CR  - Cheng, H. I. (2004). Being ill in a foreign land: International students’ perceptions of and experiences with university health services. Kaleidoscope: A Graduate Journal of Qualitative Communication Research, 3, 70–92.
CR  - Citak Tunc, G., Citak Bilgin, N., & Cerit, B. (2021). The relationship between international students’ health perceptions and their healthy lifestyle behaviors. Journal of Religion and Health, 60(6), 4331–4344. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-021-01336-0
CR  - Constitution of the Republic of Türkiye (1982). https://cdn.tbmm.gov.tr/TbmmWeb/Anayasa/anayasa_2018.pdf
CR  - Contreras-Aguirre, H. C., & Gonzalez, G. Y. (2017). Experiences of international female students in U.S. graduate programs. College Student Journal, 51(1), 33–46.
CR  - Cornett, S. (2009). Assessing and addressing health literacy. OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.3912/OJIN.Vol14No03Man02
CR  - Council of Europe. (1996). European Social Charter (revised) (European Treaty Series - No. 163). https://rm.coe.int/168007cf93
CR  - Fischer, K. (2011, May 29). College adapt to new kinds of students from abroad. The Chronicle of Higher Education. http://chronicle.com/article/Colleges-Educate-a-New-Kind-of/127704/
CR  - Forbes-Mewett, H., & Sawyer, A.-M. (2016). International students and mental health. Journal of International Students, 6(3), 661–677. https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v6i3.348
CR  - Greenhalgh, T. (2015). Health literacy: Towards system level solutions. BMJ, 350. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.h1026
CR  - Hyun, J., Quinn, B., Madon, T., & Lustig, S. (2007). Mental health need, awareness, and use of counseling services among international graduate students. Journal of American College Health, 56(2), 109–118. https://doi.org/10.3200/JACH.56.2.109-118
CR  - International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). (1966, December 16). https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/cescr.pdf
CR  - Jaeger, F. N., Pellaud, N., Laville, B., & Klauser, P. (2019). The migration-related language barrier and professional interpreter use in primary health care in Switzerland. BMC Health Services Research, 19, 429. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-019-4164-4
CR  - LaMontagne, A. D., Shann, C., Lolicato, E., Newton, D., Owen, P. J., Tomyn, A. J., & Reavley, N. J. (2023). Mental health-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviours in a cross-sectional sample of Australian university students: A comparison of domestic and international students. BMC Public Health, 23, 170. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-15123-x
CR  - Lee, J. J. (2014). Engaging international students. In S. J. Quaye & S. R. Harper (Eds.), Student engagement in higher education: Theoretical perspectives and practical approaches for diverse populations (2nd Edition). (pp. 105–120). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203810163
CR  - Martin, S., & Dyer, J. (2017). Health maintenance practices and healthcare experiences among international university students. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 29(11), 651–657. https://doi.org/10.1002/2327-6924.12524
CR  - Masai, A. N., Güçiz-Doğan, B., Ouma, P. N., Nyadera, I. N, & Ruto, V. K. (2021). Healthcare services utilization among international students in Ankara, Turkey: A cross-sectional study. BMC Health Services Research 21, 311. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-021-06301-x
CR  - Mesidor, J. K., & Sly, K. F. (2016). Factors that contribute to the adjustment of international students. Journal of International Students, 6(1), 262–282. https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v6i1.569
CR  - Misra, R., & Castillo, L. G. (2004). Academic stress among college students: Comparison of American and international students. International Journal of Stress Management, 11(2), 132–148. https://doi.org/10.1037/1072-5245.11.2.132
CR  - Mori, S. C. (2000). Addressing the mental health concerns of international students. Journal of Counseling & Development, 78(2), 137–144. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6676.2000.tb02571.x
CR  - Newton, D. C., Tomyn, A. J., & LaMontagne, A. D. (2021). Exploring the challenges and opportunities for improving the health and wellbeing of international students: Perspectives of international students. JANZSSA - Journal of the Australian and New Zealand Student Services Association, 29(1), 18–34. https://doi.org/10.30688/janzssa.2021.1.02
CR  - Poljski, C., Quiazon, R., & Tran, C. (2014). Ensuring rights: Improving access to sexual and reproductive health services for female international students in Australia. Journal of International Students, 4(2), 150–163. https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v4i2.475
CR  - Poyrazli, S., & Grahame, K. M. (2007). Barriers to adjustment: Needs of international students within a semi-urban campus community. Journal of Instructional Psychology, 34(1), 28–45.
CR  - Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Health. (2023). 2024–2028 Stratejik planı. https:// dosyamerkez.saglik.gov.tr/Eklenti/47452/0/saglik-bakanligi-stratejik-plan-2024-2028pdf.pdf?_ tag1=7B2A9834832BF7DCF36F2C7E5607D8543752A372
CR  - Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Interior Presidency of Migration Management. (2022). Türkiye’de sağlık sistemi. https://www.goc.gov.tr/turkiyede-yasam-brosurleri
CR  - Rienties, B., Beausaert, S., Grohnert, T., Niemantsverdriet, S., & Kommers, P. (2012). Understanding academic performance of international students: The role of ethnicity, academic and social integration. Higher Education, 63, 685–700. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-011-9468-1
CR  - Rosenthal, D. A., Russell, J., & Thomson, G. (2008). The health and wellbeing of international students at an Australian university. Higher Education, 55, 51–67. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-006-9037-1
CR  - Sherry, M., Thomas, P., & Chui, W. H. (2010). International students: A vulnerable student population. Higher Education, 60, 33–46. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-009-9284-z
CR  - Skromanis, S., Cooling, N., Rodgers, B., Purton, T., Fan, F., Bridgman, H., Harris, K., Presser, J., & Mond, J. (2018). Health and well-being of international university students, and comparison with domestic students, in Tasmania, Australia. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(6), 1147. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15061147
CR  - Social Security Institution (SGK). (2014). Yabancı uyruklu öğrencilerin genel sağlık sigortalılığı hakkında önemli duyuru. https://www.sgk.gov.tr/Download/DownloadFile?d=8882bf04-0871- 4924-a586-86f0e01f1b87&f=9408d898-bc4f-4ddb-ac73-8b865a2b255a.pdf
CR  - Sosyal Sigortalar ve Genel Sağlık Sigortası Kanunu ile Bazı Kanunlarda Değişiklik Yapılmasına Dair Kanun. (2013, May 29). https://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2013/05/20130529-11.htm
CR  - Tanör, B., & Yüzbaşıoğlu, N. (2018). 1982 Anayasasına göre Türk anayasa hukuku (12th Edition). Beta Yayıncılık.
CR  - Türkiye’de Öğrenim Gören Yabancı Uyruklu Öğrencilere İlişkin Kanun. (1983, October 19). https:// www5.tbmm.gov.tr/tutanaklar/KANUNLAR_KARARLAR/kanuntbmmc066/kanundmc066/ kanundmc06602922.pdf
CR  - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP). (2010). National action plan to improve health literacy. https://health.gov/sites/default/ files/2019-09/Health_Literacy_Action_Plan.pdf
CR  - Vidourek, R. A., King, K. A., Nabors, L. A., & Merianos, A. L. (2014). Students’ benefits and barriers to mental health help-seeking. Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine, 2(1), 1009–1022. https:// doi.org/10.1080/21642850.2014.963586
CR  - Wu, H.-P., Garza, E., & Guzman, N. (2015). International student’s challenge and adjustment to college. Education Research International, 2015(1), 202753. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/202753
CR  - Xiaoqiong, H. (2008). The culture shock that Asian students experience in immersion education. Changing English, 15(1), 101–105. https://doi.org/10.1080/13586840701825378
CR  - Yurtdışı Türkler ve Akraba Topluluklar Başkanlığı Teşkilat ve Görevleri Hakkında Kanun. (2010, April 6). https://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2010/04/20100406-1.htm
CR  - Yükseköğretim Kanunu. (1981, November 6). https://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/arsiv/17506.pdf
UR  - https://doi.org/10.52675/jhesp.1723717
L1  - https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/4976460
ER  -