Politics · Turkey · 23 hrs ago
Turkey aims to expand domestic production of medical technology and drugs
At a health science awards ceremony in Turkey, Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu called for greater medical innovation and domestic production.
He said Turkey has more than 1,500 hospitals and a health workforce of 1.5 million.
The government aims for self-reliance in health care, including developing its own devices, medicines and vaccines.
Turkey already exports locally made breathing machines to 45 countries and automated defibrillators to 16.
A fully domestic ultrasound device is planned within two years, according to the minister.
He also said Turkey aims to conduct clinical research on a brain tumour drug developed by Nobel Prize-winning scientist Aziz Sancar.
The minister invited people with health technology ideas to submit them through a government website.
The speech also called for more prevention of obesity, inactivity and tobacco use.
Turkey’s health minister said the country aims to develop its own medical devices, medicines and vaccines to achieve greater independence in health care.
Kemal Memişoğlu said Turkey aims to produce ultrasound devices made entirely from domestic components within two years.
He said Turkey plans to conduct clinical research in the country on a brain-tumour drug developed by Nobel laureate Aziz Sancar.
Memişoğlu said Turkish-made respiratory devices are exported to 45 countries and automatic defibrillators to 16.
- Who
- Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu announced the goals.
- What
- Turkey aims to expand domestic production of medical technology and drugs, including fully domestic ultrasound devices.
- When
- Memişoğlu made the announcements on 31 October 2026. The ultrasound production target is within two years.
- Where
- At the 12th Turkish Medical World Congress in Turkey.
- Why
- The stated goal is to achieve full independence in health care and make Turkish health technology available to humanity.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Memişoğlu announced the domestic-production goals at an awards ceremony held during the 12th Turkish Medical World Congress.
Memişoğlu said Turkey aims to produce ultrasound devices with every component made domestically.
- Ultrasound target
- Domestic production within two years
- Respiratory devices
- Exported to 45 countries
- Automatic defibrillators
- Exported to 16 countries
- Medical research
- Turkey aims to conduct clinical research on Aziz Sancar’s brain-tumour drug
- Hospitals
- 28 city hospitals are operating; 11 are under construction and 11 are in the project phase
What people are saying
Our goal is a fully independent Turkey in health care.
In two years, we will produce ultrasound devices on this soil, with every component made domestically.
Our goal is clear: to develop our own devices, medicines and vaccines, put them at the service of humanity and achieve full independence in health care.
Come up with inventions for us.