Türkiye's health tourism confronts British tabloid allegations

The burgeoning field of health tourism in Türkiye recently came under scrutiny following a controversial report by The Sun, which cast aspersions on a Turkish cosmetic surgeon.

The report alleged that the surgeon acted inappropriately during a health tourism promotional event in the U.K., using secretly recorded footage to support these claims.

This situation begs the question: Is this an assault on Türkiye's reputation in health tourism, or are these concerns legitimate?

A British journalist from The Sun, despite being in the company of colleagues and medical staff, sought to brand the Turkish surgeon as a harasser using secret camera footage.

This portrayal has attracted criticism for potentially violating the surgeon's personal rights and serving as a tool for manipulation rather than factual reporting.

Dr. Nezih Varol, a specialist in health law, emphasizes the underlying motives of such reports: "These news stories are actually laying the groundwork for future sanctions against Türkiye, or even for claiming compensation," he said.

Dr. Servet Terziler, the President of the Turkish Health Tourism Association, advocates for the quality of Türkiye's health services. "Our healthcare is indeed at a very good level. We have brand doctors who are doing world-class work, and the prices are very economical," he asserted.

He also noted the significant absence of Turkish hospitals from a British list of the top 250 hospitals worldwide, suggesting a deliberate attempt to hinder Türkiye's health tourism.

Identified as Dr. S.S.A., the surgeon at the heart of the controversy, defends his actions during the promotional event in the U.K. "Everything we do is legal. We're just meeting with patients and promoting the procedures that will be done in Türkiye," he explained, stressing that his medical examinations were professional, with necessary precautions and consent.

Dr. S.S.A. also raised concerns about the timing of these reports, hinting at a strategic plan to exploit the legal holiday period in Türkiye.

He shared his plans to initiate legal proceedings in response to this in both the U.K. and Türkiye.

Türkiye, which ranks seventh globally in health tourism and boasts 40 internationally accredited health institutions, faces a critical moment.

With last year's revenue hitting $2.3 billion in this sector, it must address these allegations head-on. The country's challenge is to ensure that its rise in the global health tourism market remains unblemished by either real or perceived controversies.

Source: Newsroom