Medical tourism is not only a growing industry—it is a bridge connecting diaspora communities to their homeland.

By Derya Sivuk, PhD
Choosing the Homeland for Healthcare:
More Than Just a Preference
With the globalization of healthcare services, health tourism is a rapidly growing sector of strategic importance worldwide. One of the most prominent branches of this sector is medical tourism, which involves individuals traveling abroad for treatment. This area encompasses a broad range of services, from dental and eye care to cosmetic surgeries, orthopedics, and oncology treatments.
How Do Turkish Immigrants Access Healthcare in the US?
According to the 2023 American Community Survey (ACS), 252,256 individuals in the US officially identified as being of Turkish descent. However, estimates suggest the actual number may range between 350,000 and 500,000. Turkish immigrants face various barriers in accessing healthcare services in the United States.
High treatment costs, language barriers, economic and cultural obstacles, long waiting times, complex procedures, lack of insurance, gender of the provider, discrimination, absence of family/friend support, and religious constraints create serious challenges for immigrants. The US healthcare system, based on private insurance, limits access for uninsured or low-income individuals. Even those with insurance often struggle with high out-of-pocket expenses for certain treatments. Another critical issue arises when female immigrants request female physicians due to cultural sensitivities—especially in gynecological care—only to find such preferences unmet. Furthermore, the limited number of Turkish-speaking healthcare providers in many states further exacerbates communication barriers.
These challenges not only impact individual health but also affect public health and hinder immigrants’ social integration, ultimately reducing their quality of life. Thus, developing healthcare policies tailored to immigrant populations in their host countries is essential.

A Growing Trend: Receiving Treatment in Türkiye
These obstacles motivate many Turkish immigrants in the US to seek healthcare services in Türkiye. With its advanced public and private healthcare infrastructure, well-trained medical personnel, and competitive pricing, Türkiye presents a strong alternative for members of the diaspora. The country stands out particularly in areas such as cosmetic surgery, dental treatments, and IVF applications due to its high service quality and cost advantages.
According to data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK), 42,880 Turkish citizens residing abroad travel to Türkiye for health purposes in 2023 alone—an increase of nearly 60% compared to 2022. This striking figure clearly demonstrates the growing interest in medical tourism.

Why Do Diasporas Choose Türkiye?
Diaspora communities, particularly those who want to maintain strong cultural ties with Türkiye, often prefer to receive healthcare in their homelands, where they feel more comfortable. The main reasons for this preference are:
◗ Affordable treatment options: Procedures that would cost thousands of dollars in the US can perform at significantly lower prices in Türkiye.
◗ Shorter waiting times: Procedures that might require months in the US (especially surgeries or advanced diagnostics) can often be completed in a few days in Türkiye.
◗ Expert physicians and advanced hospital infrastructure: Türkiye’s private hospitals offer reliable services through JCI accreditation, state-of-the-art technology, and multidisciplinary medical teams.
◗ Language and cultural familiarity: Receiving care in Turkish and having providers who respect religious and cultural needs makes the healthcare experience more comfortable and accessible.
◗ Family and social support: Social support is essential during treatment. Being with family in their homeland positively impacts patients’ recovery.
◗ Opportunity to combine treatment with vacation: Türkiye’s touristic appeal allows patients to turn their health experience into a kind of “health vacation.”
In addition, the positive attitude of healthcare professionals and the high quality of services in Türkiye contribute not only to the ease of treatment but also to the psychological well-being of patients.

A Strategic Target Group: The Turkish Diaspora
Turkish citizens living in the United States represent a unique and strategic target group within Türkiye’s medical tourism agenda. Cultural continuity, the advantage of communicating in one’s native language, and a sense of trust are key factors influencing their preference for Türkiye as a destination for treatment. Speaking the same language facilitates direct communication with physicians and simplifies bureaucratic procedures, making Türkiye an irreplaceable option for many diaspora members.

To effectively harness this potential, the following strategic steps may be taken:
◗ Conducting targeted promotional campaigns for Turkish communities abroad,
◗ Expanding access to digital platforms that provide information and appointment services,
◗ Offering informative programs via health attachés or consulates,
◗ Developing medical tourism packages and incentives tailored specifically for the diaspora.

Conclusion: More Than a Healthcare Service
For the Turkish diaspora in the US, choosing Türkiye for medical tourism is more than a search for healthcare—it is a multifaceted decision shaped by cultural belonging, economic rationale, and emotional bonds. By implementing policies that support this preference, Türkiye can not only enhance the quality of life for diaspora members but also sustainably increase its medical tourism revenues. ■

References

  1. U.S. Census Bureau. (2023). American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, 2023. Retrieved from https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/data.html
  2. Turkish Statistical Institute (TURKSTAT). (2023). International Migration Statistics, 2023. Retrieved from https://data.tuik.gov.tr/Bulten/Index?p=Uluslararasi-Goc-Istatistikleri-2023-53544

Prof Dr Derya Sivuk is a faculty member in the Department of Health Management at the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences at AHBV. During the 2024–2025 academic year, she is also conducting research as a Visiting Scholar at the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass Amherst). Her scholarly interests include health tourism, and she has published numerous peer-reviewed articles in this field, receiving both national and international citations. Notably, her book titled “Health Tourism Through Data” offers an in-depth analysis of the economic and cultural dimensions of health tourism.