Zubeyde Akdas, the entrepreneur at the forefront of iMed Medical in Istanbul, has redefined the approach to health tourism by offering services comparable to a personal health assistant for international visitors seeking medical interventions in Türkiye. She emphasized the cost advantages of medical procedures in Türkiye, which are significantly lower by at least 30-40% compared to those in the UK, Europe, and the US, thereby making Istanbul an attractive option for health tourists.
Akdas outlined their strategy to strengthen Türkiye’s position in the health tourism industry by connecting international patients with the country’s leading medical institutions and professionals, noting: “We have the International Health Tourism Authorization Certificate issued by the Turkish Ministry of Health. We provide services in plastic surgery, obesity and hair transplantation. Those who prefer Istanbul can plan their course of treatment by phone, online, or in consultation with our personal counselors in the Netherlands and Belgium.”
Türkiye’s Emergence in Health Tourism
Future Market Insights, a US-based analytics company, report a 6.6% growth in Türkiye’s health tourism revenue, from 3,751.6 million dollars in 2023 to the end of 2033.
Akdaş shared insights on Türkiye’s increasing prominence in health tourism, stating:
“With its geographical location, cultural beauties, professional health personnel, and clinics, Türkiye, and mainly Istanbul, is the address of choice for people who desire to have better treatment services at more affordable prices. Turkish clinics that follow world trends enhance patient satisfaction with innovative treatments.”
Customised Patient Assistance: Language and Nursing Services
Zubeyde Akdas, spearheading iMed Medical, detailed their wide array of services in the health tourism market, from cosmetic surgeries to hair transplants and obesity interventions, elaborating:
“Procedures do not only refer to surgical procedures for us. It is also a step towards redefining the beauty standards of individuals on their own terms. With the latest surgical techniques and a patient-centered approach, we offer a journey that is both transformative and comfortable. We have a wide choice of hospitals, surgeons, and medical staff. That’s why we don’t have a waiting list. After the necessary and desired treatments are determined, we quickly schedule and invite our foreign patients to Istanbul. Our patients are accommodated in 5-star luxury hotels. During your stay, we provide personalized services with the support of our interpreter, private nurse and team. Our patients can easily integrate their visits with vacations or business trips.”
Natural Aesthetics in Cosmetic Procedures
“We follow all developments and innovations in the rapidly developing health tourism sector with about 45 colleagues. We prioritize the wishes of our patients. The preferences of celebrities have a great influence on foreign patients coming to Türkiye,” says Zubeyde Akdas,
“There is a comeback to the natural in aesthetics. The exaggerated look gave way to a natural appearance. Particularly celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Cardi B, who decided to undergo hip reduction made statements supporting the natural appearance by expressing their experiences. These statements have not only raised awareness but also helped to normalize those reversing cosmetic regulations is a common choice. Women embraced natural body aesthetics. Especially buttock implant removal and BBL reduction operations have increased in popularity. The smaller and shaped butt appearance has become the new favorite of patients.”
Commitment to Genuine Beauty and Patient Well-Being
In her concluding remarks, Akdas reaffirmed their dedication to patient satisfaction and the delivery of personalised services in cooperation with Türkiye’s top healthcare specialists, clinics, and hospitals:
“We listen to our patients and take their wishes into consideration to provide quality healthcare. Many women now seek comfort, natural beauty, and inner peace. In this regard, we have recently encountered mostly patients wishing to farewell their implants.
“Fashion and beauty standards change over time. Women who want to keep up with fashion may want smaller buttocks. Some women care too much about societal expectations. Others undergo surgery due to physical ailments. Overall, due to many external factors, women now prefer a firmer and smaller butt.”
