Last Updated on 14/09/2023
Turkey has always been one of the most preferred tourist destinations in the world. Moreover, in recent years, medical tourism in Turkey started gaining remarkable popularity as a prominent hub for healthcare treatments. With the most cutting-edge medical tools and services, Turkey offers a number of benefits in addition to a competitively affordable cost.
Medical Tourism in Turkey
What is Medical Tourism?
Traveling abroad to receive medical treatment refers to medical tourism, health tourism, or medical travel. Many patients travel abroad for medical care for more affordable costs and less complicated procedures than in their home countries. In addition, some patients seek special treatments unavailable where they live.
Medical tourism abroad has increased significantly in Western European and American nations recently. Today, health tourism accounts for 5% of all international travel. About 14 million people choose to travel abroad for medical treatment. High medical expenses, lengthy wait periods for some treatments, the accessibility and affordability of overseas travel, and advancements in technology and medical standards across a wide range of nations are all factors that have contributed to the rising popularity of medical tourism. In the UK, avoiding wait times is the main driver of medical travel, whereas, in the US, lower costs abroad are the key driver.
Growth of Medical Tourism in Turkey
Turkey stands as one of the world’s top ten international locations for health tourism. Medical tourism in Turkey offers three key benefits: affordable costs, high standards of care, and quick access to top-notch care. Compared to the EU, several procedures in Turkey cost less than half the cost. Besides, Turkey is conveniently situated, approximately two to three hours away from main cities in Europe and the Middle East. Furthermore, Turkey accepts travelers without a visa from more than 70 nations.
Medical Tourism in Turkey is one of the most developed and demanded worldwide. A growing number of overseas patients travel to Turkey for medical care. To attract 2 million patients from other countries in 2023 and earn more than $20 billion, the government successfully promoted health treatment in the tourism sector. Significant progress has been made in this direction, and more than 1 million overseas patients visited Turkish clinics in the previous year.
Why Medical Tourism in Turkey ?
Affordable treatment cost
Medical tourism in Turkey costs 70 to 90 % lower compared to expenses in Europe, North America, and the UK. For instance, heart valve replacement surgery in the USA can cost between 170,000 and 200,000 USD, whereas, in Turkey, skilled surgeons can perform the procedure for about 17,000 USD.
Advanced healthcare system
Turkey’s healthcare system has undergone significant reforms since 2003. Both the supplies and costs of health care underwent significant adjustments. The government has established a social security strategy to pay for the majority of the population’s medical needs. The primary objective of these reforms was to equitably provide all Turkish citizens with access to high-quality healthcare services. The Public-Private-Partnership program (PPP) was an innovative way to accomplish the predetermined objectives. To improve the nation’s healthcare system, the government partnered with the business sector.
All these enhancements affected directly medical tourism in Turkey. In fact, patients started to receive efficient and high-quality healthcare services for a lower cost.
Multi-language medical staff
The majority of healthcare professionals are multilingual. In fact, many Turkish hospitals employ medical professionals who speak English and who are certified by the Turkish Medical Association. These professionals are also members of their respective professional associations, such as the Turkish Dental Association, Turkish Gynecologist & Obstetric Association, Turkish Orthopedic, and Traumatology Association, and Turkish Plastic Reconstructive & Esthetic Surgery Association.
Moreover, many doctors participate in academic collaboration with the United States and European nations and contribute to the drafting of several studies and international recommendations and standards. These factors make many international patients prefer Medical tourism in Turkey.
A preferred Tourism destination
Turkey is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world due to its incredible natural beauty, historical, and cultural landmarks, as well as its delicious cuisine. As in previous years, Turkey saw a 13.7 percent growth in inbound tourists in 2019, bringing the total to 51.8 million, an all-time high.
Therefore, internationals who chose Medical tourism in Turkey can enjoy a pleasant holiday in addition to the medical treatments they will get especially for those who receive cosmetic interventions that don’t require a long recovery period.
Easy travel requirements
Turkey is an accessible country for many nationals in the world. In fact, it is a visa-free destination for citizens of several countries. Some of them do not even need a passport and can enter Turkey with their ID.
Moreover, Turkey provides an electronic visa for many nationals and has easy requirements for visa and residence permits, especially with the alternative of getting a medical visa.
Moreover, all airlines flying out of Europe can easily reach Turkey. Every day, more than 300 flights arrive at one of Turkey’s five main airports from different countries which makes traveling to Turkey easy.
This factor is one of the main reasons that boost medical tourism in Turkey and makes the country one of the most preferred in the world. Know more about the immigration procedure in Turkey.
Aesthetic Medical Tourism in Turkey
Turkey has seen a sharp increase in the popularity of plastic surgery recently. As a result, the nation is growing in popularity for medical tourism, particularly for aesthetic procedures.
The Turkish government has fostered an environment that is conducive to the growth of this industry. To draw in foreign patients and increase knowledge of plastic surgery treatments in Turkey, it has implemented several efforts. As a result, plastic surgeons in Turkey provide procedures that are unmatched in quality and affordability anywhere else in Europe.
People chose Turkey as their location for cosmetic operations seeking advanced healthcare methods and high-quality services. Turkey has proved its qualification in many plastic interventions such as hair transplants, dentistry, and stomach surgeries.
If you are interested in Medical tourism in Turkey, you can reach us for a risk-free initial consultation upon request. MEO Consultants provide you a personlized complete advisory matching your needs and requirements.
FAQs
Top Medical Tourism Countries?
Turkey is among one of the best Medical Tourism Countries along with Singapore and Malaysia.
What is the cost of medical treatment in Turkey?
Compared to EU and US countries, the cost of medical treatments is 50-60% less in Turkey.
