The Regulation On Promotion And Information Activities In Health Services Has Been Published In The Official Gazette

THE REGULATION ON PROMOTION AND INFORMATION ACTIVITIES IN HEALTH SERVICES HAS BEEN PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL GAZETTE

The Regulation on Promotion and Information Activities in Health Services (the “Regulation”), prepared by the Ministry of Health, was published in the Official Gazette dated 12/11/2025 and numbered 33075. With this regulation, which covers healthcare professionals, private healthcare institutions, and international health tourism intermediary organizations, provisions have been established regarding the principles and criteria for promotional and informational activities in health services, their supervision, and the sanctions to be applied.

Under Article 5 of the relevant Regulation, the conduct of covert or overt advertising in the provision of healthcare services is explicitly prohibited. However, within the same article, principles have been established allowing the promotion and dissemination of information regarding healthcare services:

Promotions and informational communications shall not violate public morals, medical deontology, or professional ethics.
Only healthcare professionals may provide such information.
No promotion or information may mislead the public, create misunderstanding, or disparage other institutions. Procedures that are not clinically proven, not established medical methods, or not recognized as medical procedures by the Ministry cannot be presented as treatment methods.
Through press, media, social media, or the internet, no advertising may be made based on the satisfaction of patients or their relatives with the healthcare services received.
Promotion and information must not direct patients toward a specific healthcare professional or institution; nor may patients be directed through communication channels for reasons such as medical assistance services, general health check-ups, screenings, or consultations.
Devices used in healthcare services may not be promoted in a way that exploits public trust by claiming they are superior to or different from other devices.
Registration on social media and internet search engines is permitted, provided that it is not for paid sponsorship or promotional prominence.
Individuals cannot be called on their personal phones without their knowledge and consent; promotional or informational messages may not be sent via letters, emails, or social media.
Healthcare services cannot be used in marketing activities such as incentives, raffles, or gifts; promotional and informational materials may not include any information on prices, discounts, campaigns, or promotions.

The Regulation also sets forth the principles and procedures regarding the use of visual content aimed at protecting and improving health in the promotion and information activities of healthcare professionals and healthcare institutions, as outlined in Article 7. Accordingly:

Visuals that violate individual rights, exploit social life, or cause public concern cannot be used.
To use visual content belonging to a patient, the explicit consent of the patient—or, if the patient is a minor or legally incapacitated, that of their parent or legal guardian—must be obtained, and compliance with the Patient Rights Regulation is required. Explicit consent must be obtained in written or electronic form using the Visual Content Recording and Processing Consent Form included in the annex of the relevant Regulation.
The patient can review the visual content beforehand and may withdraw consent at any time.
Patients who do not give permission for sharing visuals are assured that their treatment and fees will not change; patients who give permission cannot receive any payment, discount, or gift in return.
Photos and videos used for promotion and information must reflect reality, without misleading makeup or post-production alterations. Pre- and post-procedure visuals must be captured under the same conditions and techniques, with procedure and capture dates indicated.
It is mandatory to indicate whether the shared images belong to the relevant healthcare professional and actual patient, or if they are sourced from elsewhere; in the case of sourced images, the source must be specified.
Patient images taken during medical interventions, procedures, or surgeries cannot be shared. Visuals of private body areas or content against public morality are prohibited, and unrelated images or statements cannot be included.
Shared images may not be published in written or visual media, on social media, or on websites as sponsored or paid content. In domestic promotions and informational materials, it is mandatory to include the following warning in a clearly readable manner on the images: ‘Results of any surgical or interventional procedure may vary from person to person. It is recommended that you consult your physician for detailed information prior to the procedure.’

Promotional and informational activities in international health tourism are addressed in Article 8. In summary, this article highlights the following points:

Within the scope of international health tourism, promotion and information activities may be conducted through a separate website or social media account targeting audiences abroad. On these platforms, sponsored promotion and information activities in languages other than Turkish will be permitted, provided that it is clearly stated that health tourism services are being offered.
A healthcare facility providing international health tourism services is obliged to use the “HealthTürkiye” logo on all platforms in promotion and information activities targeting health tourists and patients.

Promotion and informational activities in the field of healthcare conducted on radio and television channels are addressed under Article 9. Accordingly, the article summarizes that:

Healthcare professionals participating in promotion or information programs on cable, satellite, terrestrial broadcasting, and similar platforms are required to sign the Declaration of Commitment attached to the Regulation in two copies before appearing on the program.

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