Medical tourism in Turkey is not merely a medical industry; it is part of a macro-economic project that has grown over the past two decades with state support, heavy private-sector investment, and extensive regional advertising. Today, Turkey is considered one of the most vital hubs for medical tourism in both the Middle East and Europe, drawing hundreds of thousands of foreign patients annually.
Istanbul lies at the very heart of this industry, a city where Persian, Arabic, and Russian signs for clinics are seen almost as frequently as Turkish ones. From Istanbul Airport to the neighborhoods of Şişli, Nişantaşı, and Bakırköy, advertisements for hair transplants, rhinoplasty, dentistry, and specialized treatments are omnipresent. In many of the city's hotels, foreign patients make up a permanent segment of the clientele.
In recent years, Turkey has invested heavily, particularly in the fields of hair transplantation, cosmetic surgery, dentistry, infertility treatment and IVF, bariatric surgery, ophthalmology and LASIK, cardiac surgery, cancer treatment, orthopedics, and rehabilitation. A large portion of this growth relies on patients from neighboring countries, including Iran.
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