Required Equipment in Turkish Ambulances: 2025 Regulation Standards

When you call a licensed ambulance in Turkey, the vehicle that arrives must carry a defined set of equipment. The 2025 Ambulance Regulation specifies required items across two annexes: Annex-1 for technical equipment and Annex-2 for medical equipment. The responsible manager is legally accountable for ensuring all items are present, functional, and properly stored at all times (Article 14/2-h). [1]Source: Ambulances and Emergency Health Vehicles Regulation (OG-8/1/2025-32776) — Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health

Technical Equipment (Annex-1)

Every Emergency Ambulance must carry:

• Warning systems: Flashing lights (red stripe, fluorescent) and siren
• Vehicle tracking device — connected to Ministry monitoring systems
• Camera device package — recording inside and outside the ambulance
• Mobile device package — for Emergency Health Automation System (ASOS) case entry and Health Command and Control Center (SKKM) communication
• Radio (VHF/UHF) — for communication with the Health Command and Control Center (SKKM) during missions

Medical Equipment (Annex-2)

The core medical load includes:

• Defibrillator / cardioverter — for cardiac rhythm management
• Multi-parameter patient monitor (ECG, SpO₂, NIBP)
• Ventilator / bag-valve-mask — for airway support
• Oxygen system — cylinders, flow meters, masks
• Aspirator (suction device) — for airway clearance
• Stretcher and patient-handling equipment
• Emergency drug kit — per Ministry specification
• Trauma and immobilization set — splints, cervical collars, spine board
• IV access materials — cannulas, infusion sets, fluids
• Emergency delivery kit and burn care supplies

Sterilization and Storage (Article 14/2-h)

Article 14(2)(h) of the Regulation requires ambulance services to meet defined sterilization and disinfection standards: [1]Source: Ambulances and Emergency Health Vehicles Regulation (OG-8/1/2025-32776) — Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health

• Medical supplies must be kept in their sterile packaging.
• The patient compartment must be disinfected after every case.
• Disinfection procedures are logged and verified during audits.
• Reuse of single-use materials is strictly prohibited.

Maintenance and Calibration (Article 30/1-s)

Article 30(1)(s) of the Regulation is a prohibition clause: it bans the use of any medical device on which the required maintenance, repair, testing, inspection, and calibration has not been performed in accordance with applicable legislation. It does not set a numeric calibration frequency. [1]Source: Ambulances and Emergency Health Vehicles Regulation (OG-8/1/2025-32776) — Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health The calibration period itself is governed by the Regulation on the Testing, Inspection and Calibration of Medical Devices and by the manufacturer's interval recorded in the Product Tracking System (ÜTS); for devices such as defibrillators and ventilators this interval is typically 6 to 12 months. [6]Source: Regulation on the Testing, Inspection and Calibration of Medical Devices (OG-25/6/2015-29397) — Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health Nova Ambulans tracks service intervals for every device and removes any item from service if it cannot be verified as compliant.

Nova Ambulans Equipment

Each Nova Ambulans vehicle is checked before every shift. Equipment status is logged in the Emergency Health Automation System (ASOS). Our fleet carries all Annex-1 and Annex-2 required items plus supplementary advanced life support equipment maintained to current clinical standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does every ambulance carry a defibrillator?

Emergency Ambulances and ICU ambulances are required to carry a defibrillator/monitor. [1]Source: Ambulances and Emergency Health Vehicles Regulation (OG-8/1/2025-32776) — Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health Patient-transport ambulances have a more limited core equipment list, though some private operators also keep a defibrillator on their transport vehicles.

How often is ambulance equipment maintained?

Article 30(1)(s) of the Regulation is a prohibition clause: a medical device that has not undergone the required maintenance, repair, testing, inspection, and calibration cannot be used in an ambulance, but the article does not state a numeric frequency. [1]Source: Ambulances and Emergency Health Vehicles Regulation (OG-8/1/2025-32776) — Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health The calibration period is set under the Regulation on the Testing, Inspection and Calibration of Medical Devices and by the manufacturer's interval recorded in the Product Tracking System (ÜTS); for defibrillators and ventilators it is typically 6 to 12 months. [6]Source: Regulation on the Testing, Inspection and Calibration of Medical Devices (OG-25/6/2015-29397) — Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health

How do I know an ambulance has the required equipment?

Ask the crew to show the vehicle qualification certificate. This certificate is issued only after the Provincial Health Directorate confirms the ambulance meets all Annex requirements.

Can equipment be removed during transport to save weight?

No. Equipment must be present and functional at all times during operation. Intentional removal without an approved reason is a regulatory violation.

What happens if required equipment is found missing during an audit?

Missing mandatory equipment is recorded on the Annex-10/B audit form and can result in the vehicle's qualification certificate being suspended until the deficiency is corrected.

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