IICS New Teachers' Handbook 2011-12 - Istanbul International ...

IICS New Teachers’ Handbook 2011-12 Page 39 of 72
7. MEDICAL SERVICES
7.1. MEDICAL SERVICES IN GENERAL
There are many hospitals in Istanbul, but the main ones to note are the American, International,
German and Florence Nightingale hospitals. The American Hospital has many American-trained and
English-speaking doctors. For a more complete list of Istanbul hospitals, purchase a copy of The
Guide Istanbul, or visit their website listed below (section7.7).
7.2. MEDICAL SERVICES IN BAHÇEȘEHIR
If you need medical assistance, across from the Galleria Mall there is the German Hospital. It’s
open 24 hours 7 days a week and there are English-speaking staffers there. It isn’t equipped for major
medical operations, but for walk-in emergencies or maladies, it is a handy place to have nearby. The
Medical Center has a range of specialists, including an acupuncturist. There are many private dentist
offices in Bahçeșehir in the apartment blocks. They are usually on the ground floor. Look for signs
that say ‘Diș Hekimi’. Ask colleagues for recommendations. The closest full service hospital is
Acibadem in Beylikduzu near Bauhaus, about 15 minutes by taxi.
7.3. MEDICAL INSURANCE
Your health insurance (AIG) approves certain hospitals in the US and worldwide (please check with
the Business Office for list of approved hospitals). In Istanbul AIG also approves the American
Hospital, German Hospital, and International Hospital downtown. All three of those Istanbul
hospitals offer English-speaking personnel. AIG Istanbul and IICS have a Direct Payment Agreement
with the above-mentioned hospitals for your needed medical treatment. The specifics of the 90/10
co-pay program are available from the IICS Business Office. Please get the information and your
medical benefits policy directly from the Business Office.
7.4. PHARMACY HOURS
Most pharmacies or chemists (eczane) are open 9:00-19:00 Monday-Saturday. Pharmacies are now
indicated by a white, square sign displaying a red letter “E” for easy identification.
For each neighborhood, there is at least one on-call pharmacy (called ‘nöbetçi eczane’) that will be
open 19:00-9:00. There will also be an on-call pharmacy open Sundays. There is a rotation schedule
for this which you can find at:
http://www.istanbulsaglik.gov.tr/w/nobet/nobetci_eczaneler.asp
Bahçeșehir’s on-call is listed under ‘Büyükçekmece’ municipality, while the downtown area
pharmacies closest to most teachers’ apartments are listed under ‘Beyoğlu’.
If you are unable to reach a pharmacy, there is a 24/7 medicine delivery service available by calling
(212) 444 7724 or www.ilac7-24.com who will deliver your desired medicine to your doorstep for a
10TL charge (15TL at night). This website also provides 24 market services. English might not be
spoken by the operators.
7.5. NOTE REGARDING MEDICATION
Many medications are available inexpensively and over the counter, including international brands and
locally produced brands containing similar ingredients. If you know that you may want or need any
particular medication during your stay here, you can ask the school nurse (Ms. Sonnur Babayiğit at
clinic@iics.k12.tr) to find out if it is available locally. If it is not available, you may want to bring a
supply. If you are inquiring during summer break, many staff members may be on holiday, in which
case you should cc Pınar Demirkan (pdemirkan@iics.k12.tr), Figen Engin (fengin@iics.k12.tr), and
Jennifer Gökmen (jgokmen@iics.k12.tr).
IICS New Teachers’ Handbook 2011-12 Page 39 of 72