Turkey has world-class surgeons and unlicensed operators in the same city. The regulation exists — the trick is checking that it applies to your clinic.
Facilities treating international patients need a Health Tourism Authorisation Certificate from the Ministry of Health. Surgeons must be registered specialists. Hospitals performing major surgery must have intensive care. All three are verifiable before you book.
Almost universally: surgery in unlicensed premises, procedures performed by non-specialists, no anaesthetist present, no ICU, and packages sold by agencies that never disclose which surgeon or facility will be used until arrival.
Many 'clinics' online are marketing agencies that subcontract to whichever hospital has capacity. You cannot verify a surgeon you are not told about. Insist on the surgeon's name and the hospital's name in writing before paying a deposit.
Our surgeons' names and specialist registrations, the hospital, the Health Tourism certificate, Temos accreditation and ISO 9001 certification. Every clinic you consider should be willing to do the same.
Standard travel insurance excludes elective surgery complications. Ask the clinic what its own complication policy covers and get it in writing.