Health Tourism in Turkey

In this article you will find answers for:

• Turkey's Healthcare System

• Hospitals in Turkey

• Medical Services in Turkey

• Hair Transplant in Turkey 

• Safety in Turkey

Turkey offers natural beauty, unforgettable experiences, and warm hospitality making every tourist feel like they are home on two continents.

Why Turkey for Medical Tourism?

Until 2016, Turkey continued to assert its dominance as a major medical tourism destination in West Asia. A record 360,000 foreign patients visited the country in 2014 and 308,000 the year before. Turkey provides high-quality facilities for medical and wellness services and has become a choice destination for medical tourists coming from the Middle East, North Africa, Central Asia, and the Balkans. Turkey offers less expensive treatments, 40% to 50%, than its primary regional competitors Germany and the United Arab Emirates.

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The growth of medical tourism in Turkey was on a fast path until several events in 2015/16 that seriously hit the industry. Strained diplomatic relations with Israel and the 2015 Russian Sukhoi Su-24 shoot-down took their toll. A campaign of diplomatic rapprochement with Israel and Russia was launched to help boost weak tourist numbers, but the terrorist attack at Istanbul’s busy Ataturk Airport and the subsequent failed military coup were devastating setbacks.

Turkey's Healthcare System

In preparation for joining the European Union, Turkey’s government and private healthcare institutions are strictly implementing the highest quality, advanced technology, and medical standards. The Ministry of Health, along with an Independent Turkish Medical Association determine the local standards and guidelines that are followed by hospitals, healthcare facilities, and medical practitioners. 
The Turkish Ministry of Health owns nearly 55% of Turkey's more than 1200 hospitals. The remainder is owned by universities, private companies, and foreign entities. Many hospitals have local and international accreditation including the Joint Commission International (JCI), the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JACHO), the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and affiliations with Western medical groups and facilities. 
Most hospitals in Turkey have some English-speaking doctors and medical staff and are certified by the Turkish Medical Association. Many are members of specific medical fields’ organizations, including the Turkish Society of Cardiovascular Surgery, Turkish Gynecologist & Obstetric Association, Turkish Orthopedic, and Traumatology Association, Turkish Dental Association, Turkish Plastic Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery Society, and others.

Best Hospitals for Medical Tourism in Turkey

Turkey has more than 47 Joint Commission International (JCI) accredited medical facilities. Some hospitals are affiliated with the best US medical providers such as the Harvard Medical School, Johns Hopkins Medicine, and others. Hospitals catering to medical tourists in Turkey have implemented the latest medical technologies and employ board-certified staff, with over 35% of physicians trained in Western countries. 

Available Medical Services in Turkey

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:

• Ophthalmology
• Orthopedics
• Oncology
• Transplantation
• Dentistry and Aesthetic Dentistry
• Cosmetic Surgery
• Fertility Treatments
• Obesity and Bariatric Surgery
• Renal Dialysis

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Hair Transplant in Turkey

Turkey is a global leader in the provision of hair transplants due to the high quality of service provided and the affordability of the procedures. Hair transplants in Turkey cost from $1,700 up to around $3,000 – $4,500, the price will depend on the treatment provided. The cost is usually determined by the number of grafts needed during the transplant procedure. FUE (follicular unit extraction) treatments are the most common. Most clinics advertise at least 6,000 to 7,000 hair grafts for the prices noted above.

Explore in-depth: Hair Transplant in Turkey Guide & Prices - Get essential information and compare prices for hair transplant in Turkey in our comprehensive guide.

Fertility Treatment in Turkey

Compared to some countries in Europe, the law in Turkey is quite strict about who is allowed to be treated and which treatments are allowed. Egg, sperm, and embryo donation treatments are strictly prohibited in Turkey, as is surrogacy. It is illegal to treat single women and lesbian couples. What is allowed is IVF treatment using a married couple’s own eggs and sperm. In addition, PGS and PGD treatment are allowed. Egg freezing is allowed for the following conditions: a) cancer patients; b) diminished ovarian reserve or a family history of premature ovarian failure.

IVF clinics in Turkey are inspected every six months by the Ministry of Health. The inspections take the form of a checklist. They check the equipment, staff, physical environment, and records.  The Ministry of Health will license them if deemed fit to practice.

Compared to some countries in Europe, the law in Turkey is quite strict about who is allowed to be treated and which treatments are allowed. IVF treatment is only offered to married couples using their own sperm and eggs. It is illegal to treat single women and lesbian couples. There is no legal age limit for treatment but as there are no donor eggs or embryos available only a woman’s own eggs can be used in treatment. Consequently, many clinics will not treat women above 46 years. The average cost of IVF treatment in Turkey is $2,500.

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Is Turkey Safe?

The primary safety concern for tourists traveling to Turkey, especially to Istanbul, Ankara, and other cities is terrorism. The most significant events of 2016 were bomb attacks, unrest in the southeast of the country and a violent coup attempt, followed by mass arrests. In June, suspected Islamic State (ISIS) militants killed 45 and injured many more in an attack on Istanbul’s main Atatürk airport. The last major attack, by a soldier of the Islamic State, targeted a nightclub in Istanbul in the early hours of New Year's Day, 2017. 
Tourists should always be vigilant, particularly in the cities. Avoid all demonstrations and leave the area if one develops. The police may not be much help. Their English is poor and the department has suffered from corruption and bribery. 

Read More: Top Medical Destination - Learn why Turkey is considered a top medical destination, offering high-quality healthcare services and a range of medical treatments, compare with other destination.

Turkey Quick Facts

• Capital: Ankara

• Population: 74.93 million
• Major infectious diseases: cholera, malaria, hepatitis A, typhoid fever, dengue fever, filariasis, leishmaniasis, onchocerciasis, toxoplasmosis, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B, amebiasis, and diphtheria.
• Degree of risk: high risk of terrorist attacks
• Passport validity: Six months beyond the date of entry
• Mandatory Vaccinations:  required: none; recommended: routine immunizations: measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, rabies, and malaria.
• Currency: Turkish lira
• Currency restrictions for entry: none; exit: 25,000 Turkish lira or 10,000 euros (or equivalent)
• Emergency Telephone Numbers:  
  • Medical emergency / Ambulance: 112
  • Police: 155
  • Fire: 110 
  • Coastguard: 158 
  • Missing child / Women's helpline: 183