Gender Equality MARCH 2020 Gender Equality | Page 14

targets defined in the 9th Development Plan (2007-2013) to translate above mentioned laws into
implementation.
As all these objectives aim at women, other objectives such as giving priority to protective health
services particularly to mother-infant health, and eliminating barriers against poor and socially
excluded people, primarily handicapped people, women, children and migrants in their access to
health services directly aim at women. Comprehensive basic health services (TSH) are being
provided to all age groups and sexes through the widespread (rural and urban areas) first level
health facilities namely 7417 dispensaries, 5486 health care centers and 234 Mother Infant Health
and Family Planning Centers (AÇS/AP). Dispensaries and health care centers are located in rural and
urban areas whereas Mother Infant Health and Family Planning Centers (AÇS/AP) are usually
located in urban areas. The services are usually free of charge, however, sometimes affordable fees
are also charged for services. Basic health service facilities are supported by some one thousand
hospital services at second and third levels. An important development is the requirement of a
university degree for midwifery/nursery profession as a result of the law amendment made in 2007
within the scope of enhancing the quality of pre-graduation education of health human resources
working particularly at the first level in rural and slum areas within the field of women’s health
services.
Adopted in 1983, Law on “Family Planning” is another law and service type that exists in the field of
health. It is more liberal and comprehensive when compared to a number of worldwide similar
applications, and besides, it treats men and women on an utmost equal basis, and even allows the
enjoyment of women’s reproductive right without any precondition in cases of unwanted
pregnancies. In the years following the adoption of this law, efficient/modern contraceptive method
utilization has exceeded the prevalence of the inefficient method for the first time ever, thus, the
unmet necessity in family planning has gradually decreased.
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