What Is SKKM? Turkey's Health Command and Control Center Explained
The Health Command and Control Center (SKKM) is Turkey's provincial ambulance coordination hub embedded in the 112 call center. Learn how it works with private ambulance services under the 2025 Ambulance Regulation.
- Medical review
- Nova Ambulans Sağlık Kurulu (Medical Board)Prepared with input from the Medical Board. AI-assisted draft.
- Published
- Reading time
- 4 min
Key takeaways
- The Health Command and Control Center (SKKM) is embedded in each province's 112 emergency center.
- Every private ambulance case must be reported to SKKM via the Emergency Health Automation System (ASOS) the moment dispatch is confirmed (Article 17).
- SKKM monitors all ambulances in real time through vehicle tracking and ASOS data.
In this article (8 sections)
The Health Command and Control Center (SKKM) — Sağlık Komuta Kontrol Merkezi — is the unit within each province's 112 emergency call center that coordinates all emergency health responses, including the activities of licensed private ambulance services. The 2025 Ambulance Regulation defines SKKM in Article 4(r) and places it at the center of case management and ambulance oversight. 1
Role of SKKM
In practice, SKKM performs two main functions:
1. Coordination: When a private ambulance service accepts a call, it must immediately notify SKKM through the Emergency Health Automation System (ASOS). SKKM then opens the case in the system and can assign cases to available ambulance crews if needed (Article 16–17). 1
2. Oversight: SKKM monitors all licensed ambulances in real time via vehicle tracking systems. Any ambulance going out of service — due to breakdown, maintenance, or accident — must notify SKKM immediately (Article 19).
How Private Ambulance Services Interact with SKKM
Licensed services like Nova Ambulans maintain continuous radio contact with SKKM throughout every mission (Article 20). The workflow:
- Call received by the private service's call center
- Case opened in ASOS and SKKM notified (Article 17/2)
- Ambulance crew departs; VHF/UHF radio activated
- Crew maintains the ASOS case record; hospital handover documented
- Completed case form submitted to SKKM within 24 hours (Article 18)
Radio Communication Requirements
The regulation requires ambulances to use VHF or UHF band vehicle radios during missions. In Istanbul, services use the Shared Radio Service (OKTH) network, with frequencies registered through the Directorate. Radio must remain active from departure to mission completion (Article 20/4). 1
SKKM and ASOS Integration
SKKM and the Emergency Health Automation System (ASOS) are two complementary structures:
| Feature | SKKM | ASOS |
|---|---|---|
| Function | Operational decisions and coordination | Digital records and reporting |
| Focus | Real-time dispatch | Data storage and analysis |
| Users | Operators and command staff | All stakeholders (services, auditors) |
| Scope | Province-level ambulance management | National-level data integration |
In this process, SKKM bases its decisions on ASOS data, while ASOS records SKKM's dispatch, monitoring, and case-closure data. 1
How Nova Ambulans Works with SKKM
Nova Ambulans is a licensed private ambulance service based in Istanbul. Every case our crews take is opened in ASOS and reported to SKKM, as Article 17 of the regulation requires, and our crews keep radio contact with SKKM from departure until the mission is complete. 1
- More than 6,700 of our patient transfers are registered in ASOS (ASOS records since May 2024; data date 23.10.2026, rounded down).
- We measure arrival time from the moment a case is assigned to our crew in ASOS ("Vaka Veriliş") to arrival on scene, not from the customer's call. For Istanbul emergency cases between 1 January and 22 October 2026 (n=287), the median was 8 minutes, and 80% of arrivals were within 15 minutes.
What SKKM Means for Citizens
Even though an ordinary citizen never deals with SKKM directly, its existence offers several benefits:
- Central dispatch: Your call is evaluated by a central system and the nearest available ambulance is dispatched to you.
- Coordinated service: All public and private ambulances are managed from a single center, minimizing wasted resources.
- Accountability: The ambulance service you receive is recorded. If a problem arises, it can be reviewed through SKKM records.
- Consistent standards: Whether you receive public or private ambulance service, SKKM coordination applies the same standards to all services. 1
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SKKM the same as calling 112?
Not exactly. The 112 emergency call center is the first point of contact citizens reach by phone. The Health Command and Control Center (SKKM) is the specialized unit embedded within 112 that coordinates ambulance dispatch. 12 When you call 112 for a health-related incident, your call may be routed to the SKKM.
Are private ambulance services bound to SKKM?
Yes. Under the 2025 regulation, all private ambulance services must work in coordination with SKKM. 1 Tracking dispatches, reporting service-status changes, and sharing case information are legal obligations.
Can SKKM dispatch a private ambulance?
Yes. Under Article 16, SKKM can assign cases directly to private ambulance crews when necessary. 1
Can SKKM track where my ambulance is?
Yes. Thanks to its ASOS integration, SKKM can monitor the location of on-duty ambulances in real time. 1 This tracking is critical for dispatching the nearest ambulance and shortening response times.
What happens if an ambulance fails to notify SKKM?
Failure to comply with notification requirements constitutes a regulatory violation and can result in administrative fines or suspension of the ambulance's qualification certificate.
Sources
Numbers in the text refer to the sources below.
- Ambulances and Emergency Health Vehicles Regulation (OG-8/1/2025-32776) (opens in a new tab)Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health
- Personal Data Protection Law No. 6698 — Article 6 (opens in a new tab)T.C. Mevzuat Bilgi Sistemi, April 7, 2016
- Emergency and Critical Care (opens in a new tab)World Health Organization (WHO)
- Public Health General Directorate of Türkiye (opens in a new tab)T.C. Sağlık Bakanlığı
Nova Ambulans Sağlık Kurulu (Medical Board)
Periodically reviewed by our editorial board of emergency physicians, paramedics and clinical coordinators.
This content is informational only and does not replace professional medical evaluation. In emergencies, call 112 or +90 216 339 00 39.
