Between opportunity and equity: navigating medical tourism in Türkiye's public hospitals

Background

Medical tourism has been proposed as a potential means of using available capacity in public hospitals, generating additional revenue, and supporting healthcare investment. However, public-sector participation also raises concerns regarding organizational readiness, resource allocation, and equitable access for local patients. Türkiye, with its extensive healthcare infrastructure and cost advantages, has become an important medical tourism destination where both public and private hospitals provide services to international patients. This study explored institutional stakeholders' perspectives on the provision of medical tourism services in Türkiye's public hospitals.