As medical technologies advance globally, medical tourism becomes an increasingly attractive option for patients from around the world. One country that has gained a considerable reputation in this field is Turkey, known for its high-quality healthcare, state-of-the-art facilities, and cost-effective medical treatments. Among these treatments, kidney transplantation is one service attracting attention from international patients. This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide for foreigners considering a kidney transplant in Turkey.
Understanding Kidney Transplantation
Before diving into the specifics of getting a kidney transplant in Turkey, it's essential to understand what the procedure entails. A kidney transplant is a surgical procedure that involves replacing a diseased kidney with a healthy one from a donor. It's typically recommended when a person has end-stage renal disease (ESRD), a final-stage kidney disease where dialysis is no longer effective in maintaining a person's health.
Why Foreigners Choose Turkey for a Kidney Transplant?
Turkey has emerged as a leading destination for the kidney transplant for foreigners. Its advanced healthcare infrastructure, coupled with skilled doctors and cost-effective procedures, makes it an attractive option for foreigners seeking kidney transplants. This process in Turkey includes pre-transplant evaluation, finding a donor, the surgery itself, and post-transplant care. It strictly adheres to international ethical standards, ensuring transparency and patient safety. As a foreigner, understanding these aspects is vital before considering a kidney transplant in Turkey. Despite providing world-class facilities, the cost of a kidney transplant in Turkey remains significantly lower than many Western countries, making it a viable choice for patients worldwide.
Navigating the Process of Kidney Transplant in Turkey
1. Pre-Transplant Evaluation:
An extensive pre-transplant evaluation is carried out to determine the patient's eligibility for the transplant. This process includes a complete medical examination, blood tests, imaging studies, and compatibility testing with potential donors.
2. Finding a Donor:
Turkey follows international ethical standards for organ donation. Patients can receive a kidney from living donors - usually a relative - or deceased donors. The transplant center in Turkey can also facilitate the process through an international donor program.
3. The Surgery:
The procedure is performed by a team of experienced surgeons, anaesthesiologists, and nurses. Post-surgery, the patient is closely monitored in the intensive care unit (ICU) to manage any immediate complications.
4. Post-Transplant Care:
The aftercare process is critical in ensuring the success of the transplant. Regular check-ups, medications, and lifestyle changes are an integral part of the recovery process. Turkish hospitals excel in providing comprehensive post-transplant care to patients.
Navigating the Legal Aspects
As a foreigner seeking a kidney transplant in Turkey, it's crucial to understand the legal implications. The organ transplant process in Turkey strictly adheres to the Declaration of Istanbul, prohibiting organ trafficking and transplant tourism. Thus, transparency, ethical procedures, and patient safety are the cornerstone of Turkey's transplant services.
Cost Factor
Despite its world-class facilities and services, Turkey offers kidney transplants at significantly lower costs compared to many Western countries. These prices typically include pre-operative care, surgery, and the post-operative recovery period.
Kidney Transplant in Turkey Can Change Your Life
Kidney transplant procedures ensure the replacement of an ill kidney with a healthy one. It is necessary for patients who are in their end stage of renal disease, caused by infections, diabetes, malignant hypertension or polycystic kidney disease, and it is a life-saving type of procedure.
Thanks to medical tourism patients have access to timely kidney transplants, performed by highly skilled surgeons. Turkey is one of the top destinations for anorgan transplant, a country which performed the first kidney transplant from a live donor in 1975. The survival rates for patients undergoing this procedure in Turkey are above 90%.
What Is a Kidney Transplant and Who Needs It?
The kidney transplant ensures the removal of the ill organ and its replacement with a healthy one. In most cases, patients in their end stages of renal disease are considered perfect matches for such surgical interventions. Finding a donor is sometimes challenging but in most cases, family members are the ones who come to the rescue. An important aspect to mention at this stage is the fact that the receiver and the donor must have a compatible ABO blood group and a matching HCLA system.
How to Choose the Clinics for Kidney Transplant in Turkey?
Choosing a clinic for a kidney transplant in Turkey involves careful consideration of several factors:
- Accreditation: The first thing to check is whether the clinic is accredited by international healthcare organizations like the Joint Commission International (JCI). This ensures that the hospital meets global standards of healthcare.
- Experience and Success Rates: Check the clinic's experience in performing kidney transplants. Higher experience often indicates better success rates. Don't hesitate to ask for the clinic's transplant success and survival rates.
- Surgeon's Expertise: Look into the qualifications, training, and experience of the transplant surgeons. They should have extensive experience in performing kidney transplants and be updated with the latest medical techniques.
- Multidisciplinary Team: A good clinic should have a multidisciplinary team, including nephrologists, transplant surgeons, dieticians, and psychologists. This ensures all aspects of your health are considered during the transplant process.
- Aftercare Services: Post-transplant care is crucial for the success of the transplant. Ensure the clinic provides comprehensive aftercare services, including regular follow-ups, medication management, and patient education.
- Patient Reviews: Reading reviews from previous patients can give you insights into the quality of care provided by the clinic. It can also help you understand their experience with the staff and facilities.
- Cost: Finally, consider the cost of the transplant. While Turkey offers cost-effective transplants, it's essential to ensure that the price includes all necessary services, including pre-operative tests, surgery, and post-operative care.
As for the best clinic, it's challenging to pinpoint one as the 'best.' However, one highly regarded institution is Florence Organ Transplant Center in Istanbul, renowned for its advanced healthcare technology and highly skilled medical staff. The clinic's transplant department is noted for its extensive experience and high success rates.
Kidney Transplant in Turkey: Main Regulations
If you consider undergoing a kidney transplant in Turkey you should know that there are important regulations that stand at the center of this procedure.
According to the law of the Republic of Turkey, kidney transplants are possible for international patients only if:
- The candidate donor is at least 18 years old and mentally balanced.
- The blood groups of the recipient and donor are compatible.
- The candidate does not have a known medical condition (heart or lung disease, cancer, etc.) or overweight problem.
- The candidate donor is relative of the patient or his/her spouse up for forth degree.
- First degree: mother, father, child.
- Second degree: sibling, grandfather, grandmother, grandchild.
- Third degree: paternal/ maternal uncle, aunt, cousin (child of sibling).
- Fourth degree: children of third degree relatives.
The patient will have to show documents or certificates from his/her localauthorities to certify the relationship with the donor and their matching blood group.
In the past only the kidney transplants from a first-degree relative (father, mother, brother, sister) were successful, but thanks to the modern anti-rejection drugs, transplants from relatives up to 4th degree work well too.
According to the Organ Transplantation Lawbuying and selling organs and tissues for a monetary amount or another interest are forbidden. It is not allowed to harvest a kidney from a person younger than 18 years old.
Cost of Kidney Transplant in Turkey
Turkey has become an important center of live donor organ transplantation, being the 3rd country in the world with regard to liver, bone marrow, kidney and face transplantation procedures. Organ transplantation patients and donors who choose Turkey benefit from high technologic equipment, the ultimate medical services and care, internationally recognized high quality standards and experienced team of experts.
The price for a kidney transplant in Turkey varies from $25,000 to $32,000, which is significantly lower compared to $200,000 in the US. The price includes the complete medical examination and a pre-operative evaluation for the donor and the recipient, one dialysis session, donor and recipient surgery, medical supplies and nursing services, surgeon’s fees, post-operative evaluations for donor and recipient, routine medications used for procedure, and the stay in a standard hospital room with companion and meals.
In Turkey, there are no waiting lists and you will be offered proper care from day one until you get out of the hospital with a healthy kidney.
The Benefits of Kidney Transplant
There are numerous benefits in the case of successful kidney transplants. They eliminate the need for continuous dialysis which gives patients their freedom and health back. Fewer restrictions on fluid intake and diet after receiving a new kidney are also important benefits to mention. Highly relevant is that getting back to a normal quality life is now possible through akidney transplant in Turkey. Kidney transplantation can extend the life of the patient suffering from the end-stage renal disease by 10 to 15 years, compared to a patient that is being kept on dialysis.
PlacidWay is the top medical tourism company that has helped patients access accredited and certified medical facilities and surgeons all over the world. Looking for and finding the best surgeon to perform this procedure can be overwhelming for the patient. That is why PlacidWay will help you throughout the entire process, until you get back home safely.
Turkey's blend of high-quality healthcare services, affordable costs, and rich cultural heritage make it an ideal destination for foreigners seeking kidney transplants. This guide provides a comprehensive understanding of the process, but it's crucial to consult with medical professionals to assess individual suitability for a transplant. Remember, patient education is the first step towards a successful kidney transplant.
This article offers a comprehensive guide for Kidney Transplant in Turkey for Foreigners. With its advanced healthcare infrastructure and strict adherence to ethical practices, Turkey stands as a beacon for medical tourism in the realm of kidney transplantation.
Contact us and find out how PlacidWay can assist you in receiving top kidney transplant in Turkey.
