Turkish Airlines has prepared a support programme for health care establishments who invest in medical tourism. It offers special discounts and incentives for those who come to Turkey for medical treatment. The airline has signed a deal with the majority of the 32 JCI accredited health care establishments in Turkey. Turkish Airlines wants Turkey to be among one of the leading destinations for medical tourism
Turkey has a higher number of JCI accredited hospitals than most countries, and offers substantial cost advantages with savings up to 75 to 90% on treatment costs in the USA.
The airline offer to patients and companions who travel to Turkey for medical treatment purposes:
•Travel from the USA to Turkey: Up to 25% discounts on some first, business and economy class system fares.
•Travel from other countries to Turkey: 20% discount on some first, business and economy class system fares.
•10kg excess luggage allowance for the patient and each companions.
• Up to two companions get the discounts
Passengers travelling for medical purposes are required to present an acceptance letter from the receiving healthcare establishment. Patients travelling from the USA are also allowed the discount by presenting a referral letter from a hospital or clinic in the USA. Discounts cannot be combined with other discounts. No discounts on promotional fares. No discount for stretcher.
Turkey has a lot of catching up to do when it comes to health tourism. The country has a lot of potential, but has not been able to effectively harness it. Despite having many advantages over its competitors, including high-quality tourism facilities, thermal baths and experienced medical staff, Turkey still lags behind many countries, says Dr. Dursun Aydın of the Health Tourism Development Association. Turkey is home to more than 200 private hospitals, most of which are equipped with the latest technology.
Authorities agree that among the reasons for Turkey lagging behind its health tourism rivals is the divided structure of its marketing strategies. The sector lacks a hub that would take on the responsibility of coordinating the inflow of tourists and patients from various countries by directing them to the most suitable health centers. This hub would also serve to keep track of patients’ treatment and post-treatment, Turkey needs a proper marketing and promotional strategy.
Unique is the health village project developed by Turkey and Norway for the elderly. Since health services are rather expensive in Scandinavian countries, the governments are in search of new opportunities to give their citizens the highest-quality service possible at a reasonable cost. That’s where Turkey has great advantages, including its proximity to European countries, wide transportation networks, favorable climate conditions and Turkish hospitality. Antalya Flavius Beauty Hospital has begun to collaborate with the Norway Health Ministry and local municipalities to help Norwegian patients over the age of 60 in their treatment process. If a pilot is successful, the project is expected to be expanded.
Turkey is the pioneer of health tourism that involves health care for the elderly, for which the highest demand comes from Denmark, Norway and Sweden. To avoid the worst ravages of a Scandinavian winter, healthcare organisations send a party of care home residents, with staff, for several weeks or months to the warm climate of Turkey.
