Turkey Eyes $20 Billion Target in Medical Tourism with African Expansion

Sector Growth Fueled by Affordability and High Standards

Turkey’s medical tourism industry is entering a new phase of strategic growth as it aims to expand its global reach, diversify services, and capture new markets. Building on a strong foundation, the country treated approximately 1.5 million foreign patients in 2023, generating more than $3 billion in revenue.

For 2024, the Turkish government and sector leaders have set an ambitious target: attracting 2 million international clients and increasing revenues to $5 billion. The long-term objective, according to Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu, is to reach $20 billion in annual income by 2030.

Health Diplomacy Targets Africa

Emin Çakmak, founding president of Turkey’s Health Tourism Development Association Council, underscores both the sector’s potential and the challenges ahead. As Western and developed nations ramp up their own healthcare investments and reforms, Turkey risks losing ground in traditional markets.

To counter this, Çakmak says the focus must shift to new frontiers—especially Africa. “We need to focus our promotional activities more on African countries over the next 10 years,” he told AGBI. He revealed that the Council, in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade, has completed a comprehensive report on healthcare opportunities in 51 African nations and is now working on targeted outreach strategies.

New Medical Segments Under Development

To support market diversification, Turkey is also expanding the scope of its health tourism offerings. The Ministry of Health has identified several high-potential service categories, including:

• Sports medicine and rehabilitation

• Traditional and alternative treatments

• Geriatric care

• Disability and assisted living services

• Thermal therapy and wellness tourism

While these services already exist in the domestic healthcare system, they are being positioned for international marketing and foreign investment. The goal is to enhance the attractiveness of Turkey as a one-stop destination for a wide spectrum of medical and wellness needs.

Public-Private Partnerships to Drive Growth

To accelerate investment, Ankara is expanding the use of public-private partnership (PPP) models. These PPPs are already active within the domestic system—state-owned facilities often collaborate with private operators—but new models are being explored to support cross-border healthcare services and foreign patient inflows.

At the same time, regulatory frameworks are being strengthened to improve transparency, safety, and international credibility. In April, the Ministry of Health announced that all healthcare providers and physicians offering services to foreign patients must obtain formal accreditation from the ministry.

Providers that meet these standards will be authorized to use the official “HealthTürkiye” logo in all promotional materials, signaling legitimacy and compliance with national health protocols.

Mandatory Insurance and 2025 Compliance Deadline

The updated regulations also mandate that all accredited providers offer compulsory complication and health insurance coverage for foreign patients. This is designed to build trust and reduce legal or medical risk, both for patients and for the institutions involved.

All medical facilities seeking to serve the international market must complete the accreditation process by the end of 2025—a timeline aligned with Turkey’s broader push into the African continent and other under-tapped regions.

Healthy Outlook, Competitive Landscape

While Turkey’s health tourism sector is showing robust momentum, competition is intensifying globally. Countries such as the UAE, India, and Thailand are also investing heavily in their medical tourism offerings.

Turkey’s edge lies in its unique combination of affordability, skilled medical professionals, and growing specialization across diverse treatment areas. With a proactive regulatory approach and aggressive outreach to new markets, Turkey is positioning itself as a leading hub for global medical travel.

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