Looking after Your Health While in Turkey

Expect the best quality healthcare in Turkey for tourist and foreign expats. Nobody likes to fall ill, but it is a guarantee that during life, travellers will experience illnesses or accidents. Hopefully, they will be minor, and you can recuperate quickly with little help. Still, occasionally, diseases and accidents turn out to be more severe, and it is always better to prevent rather than cure and plan in case something happens. Whether you plan to come as a tourist or to live here permanently, follow certain practises regarding personal health and wellness, and for treatment, and you will be just fine.

There is no free care for foreign patients, so purchase overseas private health-insurance before leaving your home country; otherwise, you could end up out of pocket. Also remember, most insurance companies do not cover existing conditions or accidents ranging from water sports, so check the small print of that insurance plan before getting on a jet ski.

In most towns, medical services treat patients without appointments and in the holiday resorts; private medical-care doctors usually speak English. Foreigners who want to live here should apply for a Turkish residence visa. At the time of applying, professionals will assess your ability to take charge of your own medical needs. Under 65’s must have insurance or join the state SGK program. For over 65s, it is not required but most source private medical insurance, or fund themselves if something goes wrong.

Please note, for heart attacks or serious illness, the healthcare system charges uninsured patients thousands of pounds at medical facilities. Holidaymakers and expats living here have many options for hospital care. Always remember, though, the responsibility for your health lies with you and no-one else. Shabby healthcare is finished, so visitors and expats have peace of mind when considering medical expenses.

Healthcare in Turkey for Tourists

Vaccinations to Visit Turkey: Although official websites recommend vaccinations, many tourists do not get them. If coming from developing countries, usually, childhood vaccinations protect against most illnesses and most tourists do not head southeast, where chances of nasty diseases occur. Consult with your local GP for advice, depending on your current condition of health. (Note: The NHS advises a vaccination for Hepatitis A, which occurs anywhere in the world.)

Mosquitoes and Malaria: Unfortunately, mosquitoes are rife but do not carry malaria and are more of an annoyance than anything. Reactions to mosquito bites vary from person to person. One person may experience a slight itching, while others may develop puss-filled sores. Protect yourself by buying mosquito body spray and electric mosquito plugs for your hotel room. Read about other dangerous animals in Turkey.

Common Illness: If you travel to Turkey, you might be struck down by common illnesses of which one is sunburn and heatstroke. Mid-day temperatures, especially during July and August, hit 40 degrees. Sunburn is uncomfortable and sometimes turns into 2nd degree burns so always use sunscreen. Wear a hat and drink plenty of water. Dehydration is not something the body easily endures.

The tap water is clean but also high in minerals, which affects the stomach lining and bowel movements. Likewise, the body does not always accept the change in diet, hence reacts with diarrhoea. Like anywhere in the world, there is also the danger of eating somewhere with poor hygiene. Solve this illness quickly by visiting the chemist and asking for diarrhoea tablets. Also, drink plenty of water to flush it out.

Chemists in Turkey: They offer a remarkable service and stock a variety of drugs and medicines, including western brands and generic versions. Recognised by the name Eczane, they open every day of the week apart from Sundays. For medical emergencies on this day, look on the door of the nearest chemist because they display which one opens.

Health and Medical Tourism

Receiving treatment abroad is now the new norm. In the last ten years, Turkey has emerged as an international powerhouse of the health tourism market thanks to its patient-care, affordability and private hospitals and clinics. High-quality spa centres as seen in the thermal springs of Izmir target the wellness tourism market and attract thousands of domestic and foreign visitors who want to use them to cure ailments such as arthritis, and receive speciality care. Dental tourism attracts admiration from expats in the country, who appreciate receiving quality dental care by qualified dentists and surgeons at a lower cost than their home country. Private dental clinics with English speaking dentists do business in most Aegean and Mediterranean coastal resorts, and they carry out a variety of dental work.

Another niche making big bucks is plastic surgery, of which the seaside resort of Bodrum and city centre of Izmir excels at it. Once again, private clinics offer professional treatment and excellent after-care at low prices. Examples of cosmetic-surgery include neck and brow lifts as well as liposuction, hair transplant, breast implants, and fertility treatments. Without a doubt, professional medical treatment and surgical procedures easily match other countries, and every year, the number of medical tourists increases. This encourages people to travel abroad for health services, and as you can see for healthcare in Turkey for tourists, you have nothing to worry about. More about healthcare tourism in Turkey.

More Reading

Living in Turkey: Healthcare is just one aspect when living abroad. Potential retirees and expats also must think about language barriers, differences in cultures, navigating red tape, making friends, and adjusting to their new life. In this article, we discuss everything to know about moving to and living here. As well as interviews with people who have already made the moves, we look at other aspects to making the most of your new life in Turkey.