In the first 6 months of the year, 1,760 foreign patients from 62 countries were treated at AU.

Antalya University Hospital, which has contributed significantly to health tourism with organ transplants for the first time in Turkey, provided treatment for 1,760 foreign patients from 62 countries in the first 6 months of 2024, generating a revenue of 22 million from health tourism. The Rector of Akdeniz University, Prof. Dr. Özlenen Özkan, stated that the contribution of incoming patients and their families is not only to the university but also to the economy of Antalya. He mentioned that being the pioneer in the world for the first uterus transplant, first arm transplant, and first face transplant has made Akdeniz University a brand value. He stated, ‘In the 4-year period, we increased the revenue from 1.5 million to 42.5 million.’
The Rector of Akdeniz University, Prof. Dr. Özlenen Özkan, made important statements to the IHA reporter regarding health tourism. Rector Özkan stated that they are aware of the importance of health tourism at Akdeniz University and prioritize projects to improve health tourism. Despite the pandemic period, he expressed that they have achieved an increase in health tourism compared to previous years. He emphasized that Akdeniz University Hospital and Antalya are invaluable assets for health tourism, mentioning that the hospital’s revenue was around 1.5 million TL before he took office.
Revenue of 42.5 million TL from health tourism in a 4-year period. Prof. Dr. Özlenen Özkan stated, ‘We took office at Akdeniz University in 2020, four years ago the revenue in health tourism was around 1.5 million TL, and we decided that this was insufficient. Our hospital and Antalya are invaluable assets, especially for health tourism, with many direct flights and a well-known location. The world’s first uterus transplant, first arm transplant, first face transplant made Akdeniz University a brand value. Our organ transplants, oncological treatments supported this. In this sense, 1.5 million TL revenue did not satisfy us. In a 4-year period, we increased the revenue from 1.5 million to 42.5 million TL. We accepted patients from abroad even during the coronavirus period and sent our patients back abroad safely.’
Most patients came from Russia.
Prof. Dr. Özlenen Özkan emphasized that patients came to Akdeniz University Hospital for treatment from both abroad and many parts of Turkey. In the first 6 months of 2024, 1,760 citizens from 62 countries were treated. Özkan stated, ‘We earned over 22 million TL in the first six months, and we assume that we will exceed last year. Our goal is even higher, why not 120 – 150 – 200 million TL, our goal is to increase these numbers. The most common patients came from Russia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Germany, and the UK. The most served branches are oncology, oncological surgery, plastic surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, and ophthalmology. Akdeniz University has a very serious infrastructure, we did not turn away any patient. Akdeniz University is a reference university. We also conduct a satisfaction survey for our patients, and there are no issues in terms of satisfaction.’
Akdeniz University is among the few university hospitals in Turkey without debt. Prof. Dr. Özlenen Özkan pointed out that Akdeniz University Hospital, once known for its debts, has become one of the few hospitals in Turkey without debt. He stated that the 42.5 million revenue they achieved in 4 years made a significant contribution to the hospital budget. Özkan continued, ‘42.5 million revenue also provides a significant contribution to our budget. Because it is not a burden on the state, it has no connection with SGK, it is cash. We buy the materials with cash right away, it is more cost-effective than buying on credit. At the same time, health tourism patients do not stay for a short time and do not come alone. They rent a house or stay in a hotel, use taxis, eat in restaurants, shop, they are not like tourists who just enter and exit the hotel, they make a significant contribution, and wealthy patients with money come here. It is not a burden on the state and has an extra contribution in many places. It is a bit different from the tourism desk, I see that it has a more serious financial contribution.’
Organ transplants for foreign patients are not performed from cadavers.
Prof. Dr. Özlenen Özkan emphasized that organ transplants for foreign patients are done with live donors and are never done from cadavers for foreigners; they are done for Turkish citizens. He concluded his speech by saying, ‘In foreign patients, we perform organ transplants for those who come with live donors, we do not transplant from cadavers to foreigners. Cadaver organs are for Turkish citizens, in this sense, for liver, kidney, and uterus transplants, we perform two surgeries with the live donor who brings the organ. We take from the living donor and transplant it to the patient in need. This is very valuable in terms of experience and also brings significant revenue to the institution.’