Türkiye sits where Europe and Asia meet. For thousands of years its cities have been crossroads for travellers, traders and cultures, and today many people also come here for medical care. Istanbul has a large number of private hospitals with international patient departments, and direct flights connect the city with much of Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia and Africa.
What draws patients to Türkiye
- Accredited hospitals. A number of private hospitals in Türkiye hold international accreditation, for example from JCI. Accreditation tells you something about a hospital's processes and patient safety standards, and you can check a hospital's current status on the accrediting body's own website.
- Shorter waiting times. In some countries a planned operation can mean a long wait. In Türkiye an appointment for planned treatment can often be arranged sooner, depending on the specialty and the hospital.
- Cost. Treatment in Türkiye often costs less than in Western Europe or North America. What you actually pay depends on your diagnosis, the hospital and the treatment plan, so compare written quotes rather than advertised figures.
- Used to international patients. Larger hospitals work with interpreters, foreign insurers and documents in several languages.
- A city to recover in. Istanbul has the Bosphorus, centuries of history and very good food. Some patients plan a few quiet days after treatment, when their doctor agrees that it is safe.
What to weigh before you decide
Treatment abroad means being away from home and from your regular doctor for a while. Before deciding, ask:
- Which hospital and which specialist will treat me, and what accreditation does the hospital hold?
- What does the written treatment plan include, and what is left out?
- How long should I stay before it is safe to fly home?
- Who follows up with me after I return, and how will my records reach my doctor at home?
- Is there insurance cover if a complication occurs?
Where MedAssist fits in
MedAssist is not a hospital. We arrange appointments at accredited partner hospitals, organise travel and accommodation, give you a coordinator who speaks your language, and stay in touch during follow-up. Whether a treatment suits you, and how it is carried out, is decided by the treating doctor.