Turkey is one of the world’s premier destinations for medical tourism. On top of the high quality facilities available, medical tourists have access to thermal spas and wellness services which incorporate five-star hotel accommodation into their packages. Turkey has become a destination of choice for medical tourists coming from European countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Germany, England, Netherlands, Romania, Bulgaria and others, as well as Middle Eastern and Latin American countries.
Turkey's Healthcare System
Turkey is currently seeking to join the European Union in the near future. In preparation for this, both government and private healthcare institutions are conducting strict implementation of quality, technical and medical standards. These standards are constantly monitored by independent watchdogs established by the Ministry of Health. The Ministry of Health, 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 1200+ hospitals, whilst the rest are owned by universities, private companies and foreign entities. Many hospitals have local and international accreditations, 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 Society ,
Turkish Society of Cardiovascular Surgery , and other specialized associations.
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.
Some hospitals are 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 physicians trained in the Western countries.
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 travellers, 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]
| Procedure | UK Hospitals | Turkey | Average Savings |
| 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% |
| Procedure | UK Hospitals | Turkey | Average Savings |
| 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% |
| Procedure | UK Hospitals | Turkey | Average Savings |
| 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% |
| Procedure | UK Hospitals | Turkey | Average Savings |
| 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
-
JCI-accredited medical centers
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. -
Competitive prices
Prices of medical care in Turkey are very competitive compared to Western European countries like the UK, Ireland, Austria and Italy. -
Hospitality and culture
Turkey has long been a gateway between the East and the West. The warmth and hospitality of its people is well known.
Cons
-
Language deficiency
Amongst personnel dealing with medical tourists, there exists a deficiency in their English skills -
Medical records and documentation
Some hospitals lack the required knowledge in regard to documentations that should be issued to medical 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 |
| Mexico City | 3 |
| Santiago | 16.5 |
| Bogota | 14 |
| Rio de Janeiro | 13 |
| Buenos Aires | 15.5 |
| Los Angeles | 14 |
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.
In general, citizens of most South American countries do not require a visa to enter Turkey for up to 90 days.
Spanish passport holders are required to obtain an Electronic Visa to enter Turkey.
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 approximately
270,000 medical tourists arrived in 2012 for various surgical procedures ranging from the cosmetic procedures to treating serious conditions. These numbers would have increased substantially since 2012.
According to Turkey's Ministry of Health, the country has become the
tenth most visited country in the world for medical tourism due to the quality of the doctors, the use of advanced medical equipment and the lower cost in comparison to the U.S. and to many European countries.