Turkey to be the country with the most technologically equipped hospitals by 2018, health minister claims

Health Minister Mehmet Müezzinoğlu has claimed that Turkey will, by 2018, be the "only country in the world" with hospitals equipped with the most advanced technological equipment and buildings constructed using the latest technology.

"We will finalize the tenders in one year, and by the end of 2018 Turkey will be the only country with buildings holding a capacity of 90,000 to 95,000 beds that were constructed using high-technology and that are equipped with the most technological equipment," said Müezzinoğlu on Nov. 4 at the 2nd Turkey Health Graduates Congress.

He said Turkey was a pioneer in completely renewing its medical equipment, adding that their aim was to "serve the people and humanity."

Müezzinoğlu said construction tenders had recently been initiated for a 10,000-bed public hospital and a 24,000-bed public-private sector partnership hospital, which would both be constructed in one year.

He also touched on the situation of the around 1.7 million Syrian refugees in Turkey, stating that Turkey had given approximately $4.5 billion in aid so far.

"This figure may be large, but the greatness [of Turkey] lies in its understanding of civlization. Troubles and nuisances diminish when they are shared, while happiness multiplies. We are a member of a civilization with the perspective that aims to diminish the troubles of the oppressed by sharing them and multiplying happiness," Anadolu Agency reported Müezzinoğlu as saying.