Abstract:

The health sector contains important indicators both within the country and in comparisons of Decisiveness between countries. In this study, it was aimed to compare the efficiencies of the regions in Turkey in terms of infant mortality rate. Comparisons were made between the regions determined in the Statistical Regional Units Classification (IBBS-1) in the health statistics annuals published by the Ministry of Health. Turkey is divided into 12 regions according to the IBBS-1 classification. Since the data for the year 2020 are the most up-to-date data available, the analyzes were made for the year 2020. The Constant Returns to Scale (CRS) approach was used from the input-oriented Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model. Input-oriented analysis has been preferred because it is more likely to minimize inputs rather than maximize outputs in the field of health. As input variables in the study; the total number of physicians per 100,000 people, the total number of nurses and midwives per 100,000 people and the total number of hospitals in the regions were determined. As an output variable, the infant mortality rate in all weeks was used (by calculating the reverse using the division process). According to the analysis findings; Istanbul, Western Marmara, Eastern Marmara, Western Black Sea and Eastern Black Sea regions were found to be fully efficient. The Middle Eastern Anatolia region received the lowest score with a score of 0.657, while the Southeastern Anatolia region is one of the regions with a low score of 0.666. Regions with low efficiency scores are likely to be able to achieve their current output with lower inputs. The health performances of the regions throughout Turkey should be evaluated periodically and appropriate steps should be taken to make the necessary improvements.

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