Clandestine repression of the physiotherapy business: there are more than 5 thousand illegal businesses
American Cleoprea Mae Denms, who came to Turkey to undergo liposuction and a hair transplant, but fell ill and died two days after the procedure; Annetta Barbara Rohder, an Irish citizen who fell ill and died after undergoing cheek and arm lift surgery in Istanbul just a few days ago, or patients whose discomfort worsened after going to a physiotherapy center…
Recently, the increasing number of suspicious deaths after plastic surgeries or the increase in the number of patients with increasingly serious health problems who go to places called physiotherapy and rehabilitation centers have put clandestine businesses on the agenda.
Warning about these underground businesses that threaten public health and undermine health tourism, Dr. Köksal Holoğlu, executive director of the Turkish Health Tourism Development Council, said there are companies that provide “illegal” services despite not having a license.
In the briefing note he sent to sozcu.com.tr, Holoğlu explained: “There are illegal or unlicensed physiotherapy centers in Turkey, which we estimate to be more than 5 thousand.”
Annetta Barbara Rohder, an Irish national, fell ill and died after undergoing cheek and arm lift surgery in Istanbul.
THEY FIND PATIENTS THROUGH DIGITAL ADVERTISING, THEIR NUMBER HAS INCREASED
Dr. According to Holoğlu, the first of the illegal businesses are wellness centers…
Although some of them are units authorized by municipalities as healthy living centers and where physiotherapists can only provide advice on physical activity, others consist of completely anonymous and unknown units.
Warning that “physiotherapists can only describe to a person the activity defined by a doctor, they can never treat the patient,” Holoğlu said, “the municipality cannot supervise the health process inside, it is not its subject. We complained to the Ministry of Health. The ministry said: “This place is licensed by the municipality.” she says. There is a legal loophole here. “They use this loophole very well,” she said.
Holoğlu said: “They find patients through digital advertisements” and warned: “The number of illegal or unlicensed physiotherapy centers within fitness, wellness and pilates centers is increasing day by day.”
American Cleoptra Mae Denms, who underwent liposuction and hair transplant at a private beauty center in Esenyurt, fell ill and died after the procedure.
THERE ARE EVEN IN THE VILLAGES, THEY APPLY BAD TREATMENT
Dr., who is also a Specialist in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Holoğlu said: “Healthy living centers are currently being opened even in the districts and towns of Turkey. “In these places, physiotherapists set up physiotherapy centers according to the hülle method, examine patients, treat patients with incorrect diagnoses and many problems arise,” he said.
Holoğlu pointed out that some treatment methods whose effectiveness has not been scientifically and clinically proven are used in some centers, and said: “For example, there is a treatment method called GTOS. Patients are told they will be fine in 1 or 2 sessions. There is no diagnosis, no examination, and the treatment program is incorrect. “These are sold at very high prices to people who think ‘I can’t go to physical therapy all the time’ and who are somewhat well off.” he said.
40 PERCENT DECREASE IN HEALTH TOURISM
The Dr. noted that while Turkey was one of the leading countries in health tourism, there has been a decline lately. Holoğlu shared the information: “Health tourism in 2023 decreased by 40 percent compared to the previous year.”
However, stating that there are many reasons for this, Holoğlu listed these reasons as “the fear created by the expected great Istanbul earthquake”, “extremely high prices”, “Istanbul taxis, whose reputation has spread throughout the world ” and “racist speeches on recent increase.”
“Unfortunately, our competitors in the tourism sector in general take advantage of these weaknesses very well,” Holoğlu said, adding: “When analyzed and worked on well, all of them are actually solvable problems.”
A 39-year-old woman, mother of three, died in Adana after her body aesthetic surgery; An investigation was launched after a complaint from her family.
Türkiye’S DEMAND COMES FROM POOR AND MIDDLE-INCOME COUNTRIES
Turkey, one of the most important tourist destinations in the world, has become the shining star of health tourism, especially during the epidemic period.
Dr. Holoğlu says that poor and middle-income countries have a higher demand for health tourism, as is the case for tourism in general.
“However, we must target markets like Europe, which are economically strong and 50 percent of them are over 65 years old,” Holoğlu stated and continued as follows:
“Unfortunately, EU health and care insurance does not cover health procedures performed in Turkey, except in cases of emergency.
However, healthcare services in the EU are very expensive and have long waiting times. The sick and elderly in the EU can be cared for through special contacts at the level of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “This is a win-win relationship, both parties have best interests.”
Dr. Köksal Holoğlu, Executive Director of Türkiye Health Tourism Development Council.
WHAT SHOULD CITIZENS DO?
Underlining that health administrators must carefully evaluate the notifications received in this regard, Holoğlu had the following to say about what citizens can do:
“Citizens ask: ‘Are you a hospital, medical center, polyclinic, physiotherapy institution? Can we see your license?’ I should ask.
You should ask the physiotherapy and rehabilitation doctor and say, ‘I want to see your diploma.’
If they contact me on social media I ask them: ‘Can you send me your physical therapy laboratory license?’ I should say. If they do not have said license, they must report to the provincial or district health directorates and to the CIMER.”