Esenlik centres for healthy living services gain legal ground

With the Esenlik Hizmetleri Yönetmeliği published in the Resmi Gazete, a new era is beginning where protective, developmental, and rehabilitative health services, not aimed at treatment, will be offered. Thanks to this regulation, standards for healthy living services aimed at increasing individuals' quality of life have been determined and placed within an official framework. The arrangement aims for the health system to not only treat diseases but also support preventive and developmental approaches. In this context, the necessary infrastructure is being created for the public to adopt a more conscious and healthy lifestyle.

With the new regulation, legal obligations and operational details regarding the establishment of Esenlik centres and units have been clarified. Unlike traditional hospitals or treatment centres, these centres will have a structure entirely focused on maintaining and improving health. Healthy living services aim to support physical, mental, and social well-being within a holistic approach. In this way, it is desired to reduce the risk of chronic diseases and increase individuals' capacity to manage their own health. The regulation eliminates uncertainties in the sector by ensuring these services are provided in reliable and controlled environments.

One of the most critical conditions in the regulation is that it is mandatory to have a full-time physician in Esenlik centres. This provision stands out as an important sanction put in place to guarantee the medical reliability and expertise of the services provided. Based on the idea that supportive services given without physician supervision could sometimes be risky, this obligation has created a distance criterion in the sector. Thus, citizens can be sure of the quality and appropriateness of the service they will receive when they apply to these centres. The obligation to employ a full-time physician also places a serious responsibility on businesses in terms of personnel planning.

Services to be offered at Esenlik centres include protective health services, rehabilitation support, and personal development-oriented improvement programs. Although these services do not have the nature of medical treatment, they contain supportive elements that will help individuals optimize their health. For example, practices such as physical therapy exercises, diet and nutrition counselling, stress management, and lifestyle change coaching may fall within the scope of these centres. The regulation regulates the sector by determining under what conditions and within what limits such supportive activities can be offered. Thus, the concept of 'esenlik' is placed on both a legal and practical basis.

This development may open a new window of opportunity for the growth of health tourism and the wellness sector in Turkey. The determination of standards and the provision of supervision will create a bond of trust for people who want to receive these services from both inside and outside the country. The structuring of Esenlik centres with a legal basis presents a clear roadmap for local administrations and private sector investors. Experts state that such regulations will contribute to reducing future health expenditures through preventive services. Consequently, the regulation is not just a legislative change, but a strategic step in shifting the understanding of health from a treatment focus to a protective focus.