Healthcare in Gökçeada (Imbros): Hospital, TSM, and All Services

One of the first questions everyone considering moving to Gökçeada asks is: "What happens if I get sick on the island?" I asked the same question years ago. My mind was put at ease one winter night when a neighbor's child woke up with a high fever and the ambulance arrived at the door within ten minutes. For a small island, the healthcare infrastructure is better than you might think — but it's important to know its limits.

Gökçeada State Hospital

Located at Fatih Mahallesi, Hamzabey Caddesi No:3, the hospital's building was renovated in 2022 and is now much more comfortable. Those who remember the old building will notice the difference: the waiting area has expanded, and the equipment has been upgraded. You can book appointments via the MHRS app or by calling Alo 182.

Departments and Specialist Staff

The hospital has 7 specialist doctors and 5 general practitioners. Departments include internal medicine, general surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, orthopedics, anesthesiology, and a dental clinic. Last summer when I broke my wrist, I went to orthopedics; I had an X-ray, got a cast, and was out within an hour. Compared to hours of waiting in big-city hospitals, that's practically a luxury.

Bed Capacity and Operating Room

With 20-25 beds, a 4-bed intensive care unit, and 1 operating room, orthopedic and general surgeries are performed here. Don't expect open-heart surgery, of course, but procedures like appendectomies or fracture fixations can be handled without leaving the island.

Hemodialysis and Laboratory

The hemodialysis center, operating continuously since 2003 with 5 machines, serves chronic kidney patients. This is critical for dialysis patients: instead of traveling to Çanakkale three times a week, you can continue your treatment on the island. The laboratory offers biochemistry, hematology, microbiology tests, and imaging services like ultrasound and X-rays.

What Happens in an Emergency: Ambulance, Sea, and Air Transport

The biggest concern about living on an island is emergencies — there's no denying that. But a three-tier system is in place:

• Ground ambulance: 2 vehicles reach every corner of the island for initial response
• Sea ambulance: Responded to 108 cases in 2024 — staffed with 2 crew members and 2 medical personnel
• Helicopter ambulance (Hava-17): For life-threatening cases like heart attacks or strokes, patients are transferred to Çanakkale Mehmet Akif Ersoy State Hospital

One morning I was near the harbor and saw the sea ambulance depart on an emergency call. The speed and coordination were impressive. When rough seas prevent the sea ambulance from launching, the helicopter takes over — it's important to know this detail. The emergency number is always 112.

Community Health Center and Family Medicine

The TSM in Bademli village, officially named "Gökçeada Yüzbaşı İsmail Hakkı Bey Family Health Center," is the hub for preventive healthcare. Phone: 0 286 887 31 46. New residents should make it a priority to visit and register with a family physician.

Services Offered at the TSM

• Family medicine: general check-ups, chronic disease management, prescriptions
• Infant and child vaccination schedule, flu shots, tetanus for pregnant women
• Pregnancy monitoring and nutritional counseling
• Infant growth monitoring, breastfeeding counseling
• Free breast and cervical cancer screenings
• Laboratory: biochemistry, hematology, hormone tests, urinalysis

One nice thing about this place is that it's never crowded. Even without an appointment, you can usually be seen within half an hour. In big cities, even visiting a family doctor can take half a day; here, that's not an issue. When you visit Bademli village, you'll easily find the TSM near the village entrance.

On-Call Pharmacy and Dental Services

Gökçeada has 3 pharmacies, all on İnönü Street in Fatih neighborhood, within walking distance of each other. Thanks to the on-call rotation system coordinated by the Çanakkale Chamber of Pharmacists, you can get medication at night and on weekends. For current on-call information, check our on-call pharmacy page.

Practical tip: If you take chronic medication, keep at least 1-2 months' stock. During stormy periods, ferry services may be disrupted, delaying pharmacy supplies. That's the reality of island life. Following ferry schedules is important for this reason too.

For dental treatment, the hospital's 2 clinics handle extractions, fillings, cleanings, and emergency care. For specialized procedures like implants or orthodontics, you'll need to go to Çanakkale — most islanders schedule their appointments in Istanbul or Çanakkale according to their summer-winter plans.

Additionally, if you experience any health issues during your stay on Gökçeada, you can easily find contact information for local businesses like Alcan Shop in Fatih neighborhood, so you can get help quickly when needed.

Practical Tips for New Residents

As someone who has lived here for years, here's my advice:

• First thing: call the TSM and register with a family physician
• Keep at least 1-2 months' stock of chronic medications
• For conditions requiring specialized treatment (cancer, organ transplants, etc.), coordination with Çanakkale is essential
• Families with children: pay attention to the vaccination schedule — the TSM sends regular reminders
• Check the weather forecast; during storms, emergency transport relies on helicopters

Does the healthcare infrastructure solve everything? No. For serious cases, rare diseases, or certain surgeries, traveling to the mainland is unavoidable. But for everyday health needs, emergency care, and preventive health, Gökçeada's services exceed most people's expectations.

If you'd like to explore other aspects of the island beyond healthcare, check out our article on Gökçeada's agriculture and natural beauty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the emergency service open 24 hours in Gökçeada?

Yes, the state hospital's emergency service is open 24/7. A three-tier emergency system operates with ground, sea, and helicopter ambulances.

How many pharmacies are on the island, and can I get medication at night?

There are 3 pharmacies on Gökçeada. The on-call system ensures medication access at night and on weekends. You can check the current on-call pharmacy at visitgokceada.com/nobetci-eczaneler.

How do I register with a family physician?

Call the Community Health Center (TSM) in Bademli at 0 286 887 31 46 to make an appointment and register. Bring your ID card.

What happens if I have a serious health problem?

The hospital's intensive care unit is sufficient for initial intervention. For serious cases, the helicopter ambulance (Hava-17) transfers patients to the state hospital in Çanakkale. In 2024, the sea ambulance responded to 108 cases.

Is dialysis treatment available on Gökçeada?

Yes, the hemodialysis center at the state hospital has been operating continuously since 2003 with 5 machines. Chronic kidney patients can continue their treatment without leaving the island.