Medical-tourism conference to open doors

The Turkish American Chamber of Commerce Midwest, or TACCI-Midwest, is organizing its second medical-tourism conference to present partnership opportunities and offer solutions to Turkey’s healthcare industry.

The Second Annual Chicago Medical Tourism Conference, set to take place March 12 to 13 in the U.S. city, will occur amid a healthcare crisis in the United States and growing globalization trends worldwide.

Titled “Globalization and Model Partnership in Healthcare: United States and Turkey,” the event aims to introduce Turkey as an alternative medical-tourism destination, a place “where top-quality affordable care can be combined with holiday options,” according to the introductory note on the event.

The conference will also serve as the official North American launch of the “Patients Beyond Borders Turkey Edition,” published by Healthy Travel Media, according to the Web site of the consumer reference guide for medical tourism.

“Turkey now has 36 JCI-accredited hospitals, more than any other country in the world,” said Josef Woodman, author of “Patients Beyond Borders,” referring to the Joint Commission International, or JCI, which certifies healthcare organizations.

“Turkey’s superior healthcare infrastructure, relatively short flying times and breathtaking beauty are attracting an estimated 200,000 medical tourists each year from the U.S., Canada, Europe and the Middle East,” Woodman added.

The author will be a featured panelist at the conference, joining guests from the JCI, Deloitte Consulting and others to address the “globalization of healthcare and medical-tourism practices in Turkey,” according to the organizers. The two-day event will feature special presentations, exhibits and performances.

Interest in the conference

“We are gratified to see so many important speakers, sponsors and other participants helping Americans better understand their healthcare choices in Turkey,” said Sevil Kutay, president of TACCI-Midwest. The organization was founded in 2006 to provide its members with a wide range of services targeted at promoting bilateral trade, investments, commercial relations and joint ventures between the U.S. and Turkey.

“We have received an even greater response to this year’s conference and are encouraging everyone to register early to assure their participation, as seating is limited,” Kutay said.

The practice of receiving healthcare abroad has grown over the past several years as more and more Americans and Europeans travel to seek medical treatment due to increasing healthcare costs at home.

The sponsors of this year’s conference include Turkish Airlines, or THY, Turkey’s national carrier; the Turkish Accredited Hospitals Association; and GE Healthcare.

“Turkish Airlines will be offering a 25 percent discount for any patient, and up to two companions who travel to Turkey for medical treatment,” said Temel Kotil, chief executive officer of THY. “We believe Turkey offers high-quality healthcare in world-class facilities at a fraction of the cost over the U.S. and other popular destinations. We feel that helping to reduce travel costs will bring even greater savings and incentives for the international patient traveling to Turkey.”

Healthy Travel Media, an independent U.S. imprint based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, publishes books, e-books and online information on medical, health and wellness travel. Specialized editions for its flagship international title, “Patients Beyond Borders,” now in its second edition, have been published for Singapore, Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand and Turkey.