Health Tourism Is Not Solely the Responsibility of the Ministry of Health

With studies projecting a global health tourism market of USD 400–500 billion within ten years, countries increasingly approach competition through national strategy. Türkiye serves approximately 1.5 million international healthcare visitors and generates more than USD 3 billion annually, yet its potential suggests substantially greater capacity.

A Multi-Ministerial Strategic Management Model

Global competition requires more than good hospitals. Countries are bringing health systems, tourism, trade, diplomacy, academic strength and financial incentives under one strategy. Health tourism affects the economy, service exports, investment, brands and cultural influence.

Türkiye’s next advance requires a coordinated national strategy involving the whole state.

Public Healthcare and Private Health Tourism

Türkiye has over 1,500 healthcare institutions, approximately 270,000 beds, modern city hospitals, advanced technology and qualified professionals.

Approximately 80 per cent of domestic care is publicly provided, with private providers accounting for about 20 per cent. In international health tourism, the article describes roughly 95 per cent as privately delivered and around 5 per cent as public activity, largely including healthcare for tourists.

This illustrates the importance of international marketing, brands, digital visibility, experience, operations and partnerships alongside clinical care.

During our period in office, we worked to increase public hospitals’ participation, particularly city hospitals. We strengthened international patient centres, language capacity, digital visibility and operations, launching pilots particularly in Istanbul and Antalya. I believe public hospitals should play a more active role.

Support Intermediaries and Private Providers

Patient access, marketing, operations, transfers, accommodation, cultural communication and experience require many stakeholders. Quality, ethics and effective oversight are essential. Properly regulated and supported intermediaries enhance competitiveness.

Support should reach private providers of every size. Dynamic teams with sound market knowledge can sometimes achieve faster growth and stronger results than large institutions.

Ministry of Health

It is the principal authority for quality, accreditation, oversight, safety and clinical standards, but the sector’s scale requires wider participation.

Ministry of Trade

As a service export, health tourism depends on brand support, export incentives, overseas promotion and market access.

Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Tourism Promotion Agency

Patients also seek safe destinations, quality living experiences, wellness, longevity, thermal services, rehabilitation and culture. Health and tourism strategies belong together. During our time in office, we also had the opportunity to develop bilateral protocols with the Ministry of Health concerning these processes.

The promotion agency’s role in visibility and national branding is particularly important. Patients first trust the country, then choose a provider. Central, strong promotion is therefore strategic.

Turkcell’s use of hair transplantation themes in 5G promotion illustrates health tourism’s place in technology and national branding.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Visas, international agreements, health diplomacy, insurance systems, national promotion and intergovernmental healthcare cooperation connect directly with foreign policy. Africa, Central Asia, the Gulf and the Balkans offer important diplomatic opportunities.

Ministry of Interior

Patient mobility, safety, registration, prevention of unauthorised intermediation, city security and organisational infrastructure involve important responsibilities.

YÖK and Universities

Education, research, scientific production, academic partnerships, physician exchanges, congresses and symposia shape the future. Universities need more active roles in building a global healthcare brand.

Ministry of Treasury and Finance

Tax incentives, international investment models, healthcare free zones, financing, foreign investment policies and sustainable growth are critical.

Why Türkiye Needs Coordination

Dubai, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore and India integrate healthcare with economic, tourism, technology, education and foreign policy. Türkiye also needs coordination. Trust, visibility and branding increasingly determine competition.

Health tourism contributes to development, exports, international visibility and soft power. The state, universities, private providers, civil society and international partners jointly form its ecosystem.

With coordinated use of infrastructure, workforce and geography, Türkiye could rank among the world’s top three countries in the field.

The goal should be a global brand exporting knowledge, technology, education and trust alongside services.

We need an ecosystem creating high added value, international brands and scientific and technological strength, uniting public and private providers through multi-ministerial coordination.

National strategic vision will shape the future. Will Türkiye manage health tourism as an operational activity, or develop it into a strategic national strength?

Behlül Ünver President, World Health Tourism Platform (DSTP)