The “Regulation on Obesity Units and Obesity Surgery Implementation Units” prepared by the Ministry of Health has been published in the Official Gazette. With the new regulation, the aim is to establish a systematic, safe, and scientifically based healthcare model for obesity treatment.
“Medical treatment first” principle became mandatory
With the change in the regulation, the principle of “first diet, lifestyle change, and medical treatment” in obesity treatment has been standardized across all centers. Accordingly, patients will primarily regulate their eating habits, make lifestyle changes, and seek psychological support if necessary. Surgical intervention will only be performed on patients where clinically necessary and who meet appropriate criteria.
The new system aims to implement a gradual treatment process tailored to each patient’s individual needs.
Monitoring of centers with clinical success criteria
The regulation includes not only the physical conditions of obesity centers but also evaluates their clinical success and performance. Centers will be classified as “satisfactory,” “partially satisfactory,” or “unsatisfactory” based on clinical quality indicators. Centers found to be “partially satisfactory” will be required to prepare improvement plans; activities of those considered “unsatisfactory” may be suspended.
This implementation aims to strengthen patient safety, clinical quality, and monitoring mechanisms.
Obesity surgery will only be available to certified specialists
With the new regulation, obesity surgery can only be performed by specialist physicians holding an “Obesity Surgery Practice Certificate” approved by the Ministry of Health. Pediatric surgeons are also included in this scope. Surgeons wishing to obtain this certificate must have performed a certain number of cases, completed relevant training, and be evaluated by the Obesity Surgery Approval Commission.
Multidisciplinary team and mandatory digital follow-up
It became mandatory for each obesity unit to have a team consisting of dietitians, psychologists, physiotherapists, nurses, and relevant specialist physicians. Treatment processes will be monitored through an electronic record system and subject to annual performance evaluations.
The Ministry of Health aims to strengthen non-surgical treatment methods, ensure scientific consistency in clinical practices, and enhance patient safety with this regulation.
