Türkiye strengthens its leadership in health tourism with the opening of Europe’s largest and most advanced physical therapy and rehabilitation hospital in Istanbul.
Health tourism has become one of the areas where Türkiye shines on the global stage.
By Feyzullah Aslantürk
In a milestone event for Türkiye’s healthcare system, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan officially inaugurated the Istanbul Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital on May 17. Located in Istanbul’s Bahçelievler district, this groundbreaking facility now holds the distinction of being Europe’s largest physical therapy hospital.
Spanning an impressive 1.1 million square feet with a 705-bed capacity and 88 outpatient clinic rooms, the hospital is expected to significantly enhance Türkiye’s medical infrastructure and service capabilities.
Personalized Care with Advanced Rehabilitation Technologies
Designed with a patient-centered approach, the facility is equipped with cutting-edge diagnostic and treatment units, specialized rehabilitation spaces, and a multidisciplinary team structure. The hospital will offer customized treatment plans for individuals coping with mobility impairments, post-stroke complications, and orthopedic conditions.
What sets the hospital apart is its integration of advanced rehabilitation technologies and robot-assisted therapy systems, delivering comprehensive care that addresses patients’ physical, psychological, and social needs.
A Hub for Education and Research
In addition to its treatment mission, the hospital serves as a training and research institution, contributing to the professional development of healthcare workers and supporting scientific progress in the field of rehabilitation.
President Erdoğan emphasized the hospital’s role in Türkiye’s healthcare transformation during his opening speech:
“Today, we are inaugurating a magnificent and monumental healthcare investment. This facility reflects our ongoing commitment to equipping Istanbul with modern medical centers.”
He detailed the hospital’s key features:
◗ 705 total beds, including 6 intensive care beds and 657 classified as specialized care
◗ 88 outpatient examination rooms
◗ A team of 160 physicians (75 of them specialists) and 324 nurses
◗ 19 clinical departments, including 3 dedicated training clinics
◗ Facilities such as a 36-bed palliative care unit, an adaptive sports gym for the disabled, a robotic rehabilitation center, and a GETAP (Comprehensive Evaluation and Treatment Program) unit
◗ A parking facility with 570 spaces
President Erdoğan underscored how far Türkiye’s health sector has come since 2002:
“There was a time when even healthy people left hospitals feeling worse. Today, Türkiye provides home healthcare services to over 2.8 million citizens. We’ve dramatically increased the number of healthcare professionals and the availability of critical medical equipment like MRIs, CT scanners, and dialysis machines.”
Health Tourism: Türkiye’s Rising Global Strength
Highlighting Türkiye’s growing influence in global healthcare, Erdoğan noted a dramatic shift in trends:
“In the past, our citizens would travel abroad to seek medical treatment. Now, millions of people from even the wealthiest nations come to Türkiye for healthcare.”
He continued: “Health tourism has become one of the sectors where Türkiye is gaining global recognition. Especially in physical therapy, this facility is poised to attract patients from around the world.”
Erdoğan also highlighted the strength of Türkiye’s universal health insurance system, which is considered one of the most inclusive and cost-effective in the world—covering everyone from unemployed individuals to students.
Looking Ahead
In his closing remarks, the President reaffirmed Türkiye’s long-term strategic commitment to expanding equitable healthcare access and quality:
“With this hospital and others to follow, we will continue raising the bar for healthcare services across Istanbul and throughout our nation.” ■
