Turkey offers high quality facilities for medical, thermal, spas and wellness services whilst incorporating five-star hotel accommodation into the package. Turkey has become a choice destination for medical tourists coming from European countries such as England, Netherlands, Russia, Ukraine, Germany, Romania, Bulgaria and others, as well as Middle Eastern and Arab countries.
Turkey’s Healthcare System
Turkey is currently seeking to join the European Union and is set to receive membership by 2014. In preparation for this, both government and private healthcare institutions are conducting strict implementation of quality, technical and medical standards. These factors are constantly monitored by independent watchdogs set by the Ministry of Health. The MOH, together with an Independent Turkish Medical Associations sets the local standards and guidelines that are followed by hospitals, healthcare facilities and medical practitioners.
The
Turkish Ministry of Health owns and operates approximately 55% of Turkey's more than 1200 hospitals, whilst the rest are owned by universities, private companies and foreign entities. Many hospitals have local and international accreditation including the JCI (Joint Commissions International), the JACHO (Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations), ISO (International Organization for Standardization) and affiliations with Western medical groups and facilities.
Most hospitals in Turkey have English-speaking doctors and medical staff that are certified by the
Turkish Medical Association as well as being members of organizations according to their specializations, including the Turkish Dental Association, Turkish Gynecologist & Obstetric Association, Turkish Orthopedic and Traumatology Association, Turkish Plastic Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery Association, Turkish Society of Cardiovascular Surgery, and other specialized associations.
Top Hospitals for Medical Tourism in Turkey
Turkey boasts of more than 30 medical facilities that are accredited by the Joint Commission International. This is the largest accreditation that any country has ever achieved. Most of these hospitals are also affiliated with top US medical providers such as the Harvard Medical School and Johns Hopkins Medicine amongst others. Hospitals catering to medical tourism in Turkey are equipped with the latest medical technologies and have board-certified staff, with over 35% of them trained in the US and other Western countries.
The top hospitals in Turkey for health tourism include:
- Istanbul Memorial Hospital - Istanbul, Turkey
The first hospital in Turkey to be accredited by the JCI in March 2002. It has since been re-accredited twice - once in 2005 and again in 2008.
- Anadolu Medical Center - Kocaeli, Turkey
First accreditation by the JCI on February 2007. The facility is affiliated with Johns Hopkins International and focuses on cardiac care, neurological sciences, oncology, women's health and other surgical specialties.
- Acibadem Healthcare Group
Affilitiated with Harvard Medical International, the Acibadem Healthcare Group is composed of five JCI accredited hospitals located in different locations in Turkey, including the Acibadem Bakirkoy Hospital, Acibadem Bursa Hospital, Acibadem Kocaeli Hospital, Acibadem Kadikoy Hospital, and the Acibadem Kozyatagi Hospital.
- Medical Park Healthcare Group
The Medical Park Healthcare Group is composed of four JCI accredited hospitals located in various areas in Turkey which includes the MPHG Antalya Hospital, MPHG Bahcelievler Hospital, MPHG Bursa Hospital, and the MPHG Goztepe Hospital.
- Florence Nightingale Hospital Group
The Florence Nightingale Hospital Group is composed of three JCI accredited hospitals located in various areas in Turkey which includes the Sisli FN Hospital, Gayrettepe FN Hospital, and the Kadiköy FN Hospital.
- Dunya Eye Hospital
First accreditation by the JCI on July 2006. It is one of the top eye hospitals in Turkey and is one of the best in the world in terms of success rates for its more than 1000 cataract operations per month.
- Browse our list of hospitals in Turkey.
Common Treatments done by Medical Tourists in Turkey
For generations, Turkey has been known for its excellent thermal spa resorts, some of which have been in existence since the time of the Romans. In modern times, the hospitals and healthcare facilities in Turkey offer a wide array of procedures and services for medical travelers, which include but are not limited to the following:
Cost of Medical Treatment in Turkey
The following are cost comparisons of medical procedures in Turkey and equivalent procedures in the United Kingdom: [
source]
|
UK Hospitals |
Turkey |
Average Savings |
| Medical Procedures |
|
|
|
| Coronary Angioplasty |
$13,000 - $15,000 |
$5,000 - $6,000 |
60% - 65% |
| Hip Replacement |
$13,500 - $14,500 |
$6,500 - $7,500 |
45% - 50$ |
| Prostrate Removal (Prostatectomy) |
$7,000 - $8,000 |
$5,500 - $6,500 |
15% - 20% |
| Knee Replacement |
$16,000 - $17,000 |
$7,000 - $8,000 |
50% - 60% |
| Hemorrhoids Removal |
$3,000 - $4,000 |
$1,500 - $2,500 |
45% - 55% |
| Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery |
|
|
|
| Face Lift (rhytidectomy) |
$11,000 - $12,000 |
$3,000 - $4,000 |
65% - 75% |
| Breast Augmentation (Mammoplasty) |
$7,000 - $8,000 |
$3,000 - $4,000 |
50% - 60% |
| Breast Reduction |
$8,000 - $9,000 |
$3,500 - $4,500 |
50% - 60% |
| Liposuction (lipoplasty) |
$5,000 - $6,000 |
$2,000 - $3,000 |
55% - 65% |
| Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty) |
$5,500 - $6,500 |
$3,000 - $4,000 |
40% - 45% |
| Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) |
$8,000 - $9,000 |
$3,000 - $4,000 |
55% - 60% |
| Eye / Ophthalmology |
|
|
|
| LASIK Eye Surgery |
$1,500 - $2,500 |
$1,000 - $1,500 |
20% - 25% |
| Cataract Removal |
$4,000 - $5,000 |
$1,000 - $2,000 |
55% - 65% |
| General and Cosmetic Dentistry |
|
|
|
| Root Canal (per canal) |
$300 - $400 |
$100 - $150 |
55% - 65% |
| Tooth Whitening |
$900 - $1200 |
$400 - $500 |
50% - 60% |
| Dental Implants |
$3,000 - $4,000 |
$900 - $1500 |
70% - 75% |
| Gold Crowns |
$800 - $850 |
$200 - $250 |
70% - 75% |
Malpractice and Liability Laws in Turkey
In a report by Abigail Cotterill (from the ADMD Law Firm on Medical Malpractice in Turkey), she describes that there are relatively low malpractice suits in Turkey. This is the case, even when healthcare providers do not normally carry malpractice insurance and the government is paying for damages on suits against state facilities. In this regard, the
Forensic Medicine Association was established in Turkey, focusing on legal cases involving malpractice. Reforms have also been established to implement compulsory insurance for medical practitioners in both state and private-owned health facilities.
Pros
- With the highest number of JCI-accredited health facilities, medical tourists to Turkey are assured of high quality infrastructure and services by these hospitals and their medical staff.
- Prices of medical care in Turkey are very competitive compared to Western European countries like the UK, Ireland, Austria and Italy.
- Turkey has long been a gateway between the East and the West. The warmth and hospitality of its people is well reported on
Cons
- Amongst personnel dealing with medical tourists, there exists a deficiency in their English skills
- Some hospitals lack the required knowledge in regard to documentations that should be issued to foreign medical travelers
- Lack of medical tourism companies acting as a link between medical tourists and Turkey's medical institutions
- Thieves, especially pick-pockets, ply through the crowded streets in Turkey's major cities. And these pose a primary threat to tourists
Traveling to Turkey
Turkey is easily accessed by all airlines coming from Europe. A total of more than 300 flights come from various countries and arrive in one of Turkey's five major airports on a daily basis.
Average estimated travel time in hours
| From/To |
Turkey (Istanbul) |
| UK (London) |
4 |
| UK (Manchester) |
5 |
| Germany |
3 |
| Netherlands |
4 |
| Austria |
3 |
| Switzerland |
3 |
| Russia (Moscow) |
2.5 |
| UAE (Dubai) |
4 |
| Bulgaria |
2 |
| Romania |
2 |
Entry and Exit Requirements to Turkey
In general, a valid passport and a corresponding visa are required for all travelers making their entry to Turkey. Depending on the country of destination, as listed in Turkey's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, entry visas can be obtained upon arrival in Turkey. They can also be obtained from the Turkish Consulates located in the country of origin.
Specific visa requirements for your country can be found at the
Turkish MFA website.
Statistics for Medical Tourism in Turkey
Located in a strategic area that borders Asia and Europe, Turkey is fast becoming a popular destination for medical travelers. Figures show, that more than
200,000 medical tourists from Europe and the Middle East arrived in 2008, representing a 40% increase from 2007.
In a
2007 study on health tourism, the British rated Turkey as one of the top three destinations for medical tourism, with India and Hungary sharing the top spot.