Turkish Health Tourism Association (TÜSATDER) President Dr. Servet Terziler said, "Last year, Turkey broke a record in health tourism with 4 billion dollars. With 5 steps to be taken, Turkey's health tourism can reach 20 billion dollars."
Dr. Servet Terziler stated that Turkey's 2023 tourism income target has reached 56 billion dollars and said that health tourism is open for improvement the most.
Recalling that Turkey has a worldwide reputation in health tourism, Terziler made the following assessment:
"At the end of 2019, we broke a record in health tourism with a revenue of 3 billion dollars. There was a slight decrease in the pandemic process in 2020. We also closed 2021 with a rise. We closed the year 2022 with a record. We also made a rapid entry into 2023. However, after the earthquake disaster on February 6, which affected millions of people, we entered a period of stagnation. At the end of March, however, the momentum was up again. We aim to close 2023 with a record level in health tourism."
Stating that systems that can easily reach accredited institutions in health tourism at home and abroad should be developed, Terziler said:
"Last year, Turkey broke a record in health tourism with 4 billion dollars. With 5 steps to be taken, Turkey's health tourism can reach 20 billion dollars. Inspections should be increased and unfair competition should be prevented. Hair transplantation by people who are not doctors by renting rooms in hospitals should be terminated immediately. The system developed by the Service Exporters Association and listing accredited institutions should be supported. A hair transplant course should be added to the curriculum for nurses and anesthesia technicians who can work in the field of hair transplant.
It should be ensured that the Tourism Development Agency (TGA) gives more support to health tourism. If these 5 steps are taken, we will increase our quality and attract more health tourists. Thus, Türkiye is on the agenda with its high quality along with its price. Turkey no longer has patience for places where the quality of Turkish health tourism is uncertain and programmed to lower Turkey's price."
Stating that there are more than 2,000 hair transplant centers in Turkey, Terziler said, "They work unsupervised. This brings poor quality. When there is no quality, satisfaction decreases. The Ministry of Health and Health Directorates should have a curriculum for quality health tourism.
In addition, since the costs of corporate places that do their job correctly are high, businesses under the counter prevent the increase of the country's tourism income by transplanting hair with lower wages. We report the situation to the competent authorities. They also do what is necessary. However, even though the business is closed, they are reopening under a different name, in a different location.
Reminding that the Service Exporters Association lists the accredited health institutions, Terziler said, “Thanks to this list, the tourist who will receive health services can see whether the institution to which they will go is accredited. Everyone should support this system and work for the development of the system. If we can ensure that foreign tourists receive services in accredited institutions, their satisfaction will increase. This will also be reflected in the revenues.”
Noting that only nurses and anesthesiologists can work in the field of hair transplantation, Terziler concluded his assessment as follows:
"They must also be well-educated. Although they are trained by institutions, if they receive this training in their schools, much higher success can be achieved. That's why we say that the subject of hair transplantation should be added to the curriculum. Thus, the qualified employee problem of the sector, which creates an economy of billions of dollars, will be solved.
Another issue is promotion. Established in Turkey in recent years, TGA carries out very successful works and promotions. While increasing the tourism income of the country with his works, the Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Ersoy is trying to bring the tourism income per capita to higher levels. This is where health tourism step in. If our industry is supported more by the TGA, we can attract more tourists with high spending capacity to our country.