Northern Cyprus Member of Cyprus Turkish Medical Association: Health System Must Adapt to Aging Population

On March 19, 2026, in Northern Cyprus, Figen Gülen İnce, a member of the Board of the Cyprus Turkish Medical Association and responsible for public health and preventive medicine, stated that the healthcare system must be revised to account for the growing proportion of elderly people.

In a message marking Elderly Week, İnce noted that the increasing number of seniors necessitates a reassessment of social services and care policies. According to her, providing the elderly with high-quality and accessible medical care must be guaranteed by the state and society together.

İnce highlighted several specific areas: ensuring access to qualified medical care; removing barriers created by electronic appointment systems; strengthening chronic disease management, preventive services, and early diagnosis programs; implementing adult vaccination programs; and developing home care, gerontological services, and long-term care systems.

The message also emphasized the demand for creating social mechanisms to combat loneliness among the elderly, adapting cities and public spaces to their needs, and coordinating central and local authorities in organizing care homes and services.

İnce stated that planned and sustainable political measures are essential for equal and dignified access to healthcare for the elderly.